Children’s perspectives on disaster risk reduction and adaptation: the case of floods in Mamelodi East

Abstract

The increase in natural disasters incidents affects everyone. Children are among the most vulnerable populations severely affected by floods. The goal of the study was to determine the perspectives of children on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and adaptation to floods in Mamelodi East. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and the research paradigm was constructivism. It was an applied study which utilised an exploratory case study research design. A purposive sampling method was used to select three participants between the ages of 8 and 12 years from Viva Independent School based in Mamelodi East. Data collection was done through photo-voice and one-on-one semi-structured interviews which were guided by an interview schedule. Data was analysed through the thematic analysis method. Ethical principles considered for the study included informed consent and assent together with voluntary participation as the parents/guardians of participants provided approval for their children to participate in the research and children provided assent to voluntarily take part in the study. The findings of the study show that the participants have a comprehension of what contributes to floods in their community such as poor waste management, poorly built houses and pollution (air, land, and water). Furthermore, findings reveal several effects of floods, including diseases and death, displacement and relocation, possible emotional trauma, increased crime risks and transport challenges, and several strategies for mitigation of floods. The study concludes that pollution is the main contributor to floods in Mamelodi East and can be mitigated as it is due to human activity. In addition, mitigation of floods requires finances which have to be both the efforts of the community, including children, and the government. To stimulate child participation in DRR and mitigation, the study recommends the inclusion of DRR in children’s education and training, involvement of parents and guardians in DRR, raising community awareness on pollution and floods, improved government service delivery and maintenance of DRR stakeholder relationships.