Socio-Economic Variables and Disaster Incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa constantly experiences disaster incidents linked to extreme weather, fires, structural collapse, and drowning. While the prevalence of these incidents varies in each region, KwaZulu-Natal, which is one of South Africa's coastal provinces, usually records several cases. For example, between 2018 and 2022 the province reported 5428 disaster incidents that affected 66026 households, damaged 73433 houses, and caused 805 fatalities. The total estimated costs of damages from these incidents over the period were more than R12.21 billion (about US$666.7 million). This chapter examines the effects of selected socio-economic variables on disaster incidents in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Panel data for the province's district and metropolitan municipalities over the period 2018 to 2022 are estimated using fixed and random effects regression models. Results from the chapter shed light on the policy direction necessary to mitigate the prevalence and impact of disaster incidents both in the province and other similar environments.