Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal
Many of the urban poor in Africa face growing problems of severe flooding. Increased storm frequency and intensity related to climate change are exacerbated by such local factors as the growing occupation of floodplains, increased runoff from hard surfaces, inadequate waste management and silted-up drainage. One can distinguish four types of flooding in urban areas: localized flooding due to inadequate drainage; flooding from small streams within the built-up area; flooding from major rivers; and coastal flooding. ActionAid undertook participatory vulnerability analysis in five African cities, to explore local people's perceptions of why floods occur, how they adjust to them, who is responsible for reducing the flood risk and what action the community itself can take. While local people adapt to floods, recognition of local, national and international governments' and organizations' responsibility to act to alleviate flooding and its causes, especially the consequences of climate change, is urgently needed.
Resource Description
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Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
- Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Flood
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Freshwater, Ocean/Coastal, Urban
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Non-United States
- Non-United States: Africa
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Injury
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Research Article
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Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
- Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Early Warning System, Intervention, Resilience, Vulnerability Assessment
- Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: General Public/Unspecified
- Adaptation, Climate Justice/Climate Equity, Communication, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Children, Low Socioeconomic Status