IPCC_Managing Risks of Extreme Events.pdf - Climate Access

Chapter 9Case StudiesTropical cyclone DRM strategies in coastal regions that create protectivemeasures, and anticipate and plan for extreme events, along withcontinuing changes in vulnerability and in causal processes, increase theresilience of potentially exposed communities. International cooperationand investment in the following measures are essential in improving thecapacity of developing nations in coping with extreme tropical cycloneevents:• Improvement of forecasting capacity and implementation ofimproved early warning systems (including evacuation plans andinfrastructure)• Protection of healthy ecosystems• Post-disaster support service to dispersed communities• Transparent management of recovery funds directly with the victims.Awareness, early warnings and evacuation, hurricane experience, disasterfunds, and specialized bodies reduce the impact of tropical cyclones onsocially vulnerable people. Good governance and participation ofpeople at risk in the decisionmaking process may overcome conflictinggovernmental priorities. Disaster risk management is most effectivelypursued by understanding the diverse ways in which social processescontribute to the creation, management, and reduction of disaster riskwith the involvement of people at risk. A development planningperspective that includes disaster risk management as an integral partof the development framework is the key to a coherent strategy for thereduction of risk associated with extreme weather events.9.2.6. Managing the Adverse Consequences of Floods9.2.6.1. IntroductionFloods are a major natural hazard in many regions of the world (Ahernet al., 2005). Averaged over 2001 to 2010, floods and other hydrologicalevents accounted for over 50% of the disasters (Guha-Sapir et al.,2011); for example, it was reported that, in 2007, flooding worldwideaccounted for four of the top five deadliest natural disasters (Subbaraoet al., 2008). Currently about 800 million people live in flood-prone areasand about 10% are annually exposed to floods (Chapter 4; Peduzzi etal., 2011; UNISDR, 2011b). Causes of floods are varied, but may occuras a result of heavy, persistent, and sustained rainfall or as a result ofcoastal flooding (Ahern et al., 2005; see also Section 3.5.2). Floodingimpacts are wide ranging, potentially interrupting food and watersupplies, affecting economic development, and causing acute as well assubsequent long-term health impacts (Ahern et al., 2005; Subbarao etal., 2008). It is important to study flooding events to develop or enhancereliable approaches to risk reduction as well as systems for forecasting andinforming the population, in order to help minimize negative consequences(ICSU, 2008). This case study examines the impacts on the populationand economy of Mozambique from the 2000 and 2007 flooding events.Effective functioning of DRR and DRM programs at all levels can help toreduce the risks from extreme events including floods (UNISDR, 2005a).These programs operate best with a combination of local, national, andinternational strategies (Hellmuth et al., 2007; UNISDR, 2011a). Avariety of strategies have been used to reduce the impact of floods. Forexample, dams and sea walls prevent flooding of coastal areas but areexpensive and difficult to maintain and these facilities can be breached(ProAct Network, 2008). Furthermore, urban drainage systems arerecognized as an important tool to reduce urban flood risk, but lessthan half (46%) of low-income countries have invested in drainageinfrastructure in flood-prone areas (UNISDR, 2011b). Timely floodwarnings in many countries have been developed as part of DRR andDRM programs (Case Study 9.2.11).The Global Assessment Report (UNISDR, 2011b) reported that the 2000floods in Mozambique are one of the four examples of large disastersthat have highlighted DRM capacity gaps that have led to institutionaland legislative changes.9.2.6.2. BackgroundMozambique has high socioeconomic vulnerability with approximately50% of its population of 21 million living below the poverty line (seeSections 2.3 and 2.5; WMO, 2011a; World Bank, 2011b). Its developmenthas been restricted by previous civil war and conflict with neighboringSouth Africa. Further examples of its vulnerability include risingHIV/AIDS rates, an almost 70% female illiteracy rate, and most of thepopulation depending on subsistence farming (Hellmuth et al., 2007;World Bank, 2011b).Geographic position and climatic factors contribute to Mozambique’shigh physical vulnerability. Mozambique has a 2,700-km coastline andthe whole country and neighboring countries are subjected to cyclonesand resultant flooding (Hellmuth et al., 2007; WMO, 2011a; World Bank,2011b). Nine of the 11 rivers in Mozambique are transboundary (Hellmuthet al., 2007) making its location downstream more susceptible to rainfallevents across a large region such that increases in river levels and flowsin neighboring countries can result in or exacerbate floods. Thereforethe development and operating of early warning and flood control systemsin Mozambique depend on a close collaboration with other countries ofthe Southern Africa Development Community and its protocol on sharedwatercourse systems (SADC, 2000).The World Bank (2005a) reported that Mozambique experienced 12 majorfloods, 9 major droughts, and 4 major cyclone events between 1965 and1998. In 1999, a national government policy on disaster managementwas articulated and a National Institute for Disaster Management(NIDM), with an emphasis on coordination rather than delivery, created(World Bank, 2005a).9.2.6.3. Description of Events – 2000 Floods in MozambiqueIn February 2000, catastrophic floods caused the loss of more than 700lives with over half a million people losing their homes, and more than505