Commenting on flooding and landslides in Durban, South Africa, the opposition of the discredited "blame nature" paradigm and an approach focused on people's vulnerability and the creation of risk is seen yet again.
[South African President Cyril Ramaposa] “… described the disaster as a force of nature, which some have disagreed with. They blame poor drainage and badly built houses in low-lying areas for the high death toll. Durban Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda denied that poor drainage was to blame, saying the scale of the flood was unexpected” (Shingai Nyoka, “Durban floods: South Africa floods kill more than 250”, BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61092334 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61092334)).
Will those with authority and power ever learn?
BEN
Dr. Ben Wisner
Honorary Visiting Professor, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, UK
& Affiliate Scholar, Environmental Studies Program, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, USA
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