As of Friday, 15 April, flooding in South Africa has affected 41,000 people and killed at least 395 people. As South Africans search for those missing in the destruction of these floods, more rain and subsequent flooding are still expected.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the floods as a “Catastrophe of enormous proportions” and that the disaster has “Particularly on our KwaZulu-Natal province…caused a lot of devastation and havoc.” KwaZulu Natal is a province along the coast which has seen the most damage caused by the floods. Additionally, in a statement given via social media, South African Public Protector Busiswe Mkhwebane said that, in the wake of the floods, “Many were in dire need of food, clothes and sanitary supplies.” Mkhwebane also called upon state officials to be prudent in their response to the disaster, arguing that “The rebuilding of public infrastructure also needs to commence as conditions are conducive.” Mkhewebane’s point is expedient, as the havoc caused by these floods has only been exacerbated by the economic and physical decline of the state caused by the pandemic. 

“Just as we thought it was safe to get out of [the Covid] disaster, we have another disaster, a natural disaster descending on our country,” said President Ramaphosa.

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, there will be an increase in the quantity and severity of international natural disasters. The severe impact of the floods in South Africa is part of a global trend of increased climate calamity and the chaos these changes impose on human livelihood. Additionally, when coupled with the persistence of poor infrastructure and stagnated development, these effects will be felt even further – as is the case in many communities throughout the Kwazulu Natal province. 

As the instances of deadly natural disasters increase, the international community’s responsibility is to provide aid, development, and other forms of support to countries that most need it. While taking an offensive approach to climate change – i.e., banning fossil fuels – is necessary for our planet’s future, disaster mitigation is essential for our planet’s present. If this does not happen, the death, destruction, and chaos seen in the floods in South Africa will worsen.