Disaster Risk Management: Collaborative thinking to mobilise proactive support

Abstract

Transboundary crises such as drought and SARS-CoV-2 highlighted the need to move research into practice. Collaborative effort is required by the various role players (e.g., industry, government civil society) to build a resilient system. Using the Cape Town 2016 – 2018 “Day Zero” drought, and through thematic analysis, 17 themes emerged that provided insight into the management of disasters within the larger socio-ecological system and the various key learning for each of the four stakeholder groups (i.e., business, public, civil society and government). It highlighted similarities between Cape Town and other world cities such as Perth. Water stewardship and resilience thinking with regards to investment for disaster risk management are some of the main objectives of the Drought Guidebook.