EThekwini Municipality’s commitment to building a disaster-resilient and inclusive city was powerfully demonstrated at the start of the three-day Inclusivity for All on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Summit, where diverse stakeholders came together to drive urgent, people-centred solutions.
The summit, currently underway at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, has brought together key stakeholders from municipal structures, provincial and national government, academia, and communities.
The gathering serves as a powerful platform to confront a critical reality, disasters do not affect all people equally, and the most vulnerable continue to carry the heaviest burden.
EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni said the insightful workshop marks a decisive shift from planning in isolation to building inclusive systems that recognise the unique vulnerabilities of communities.
“The reality is that disasters expose the deepest inequalities in our society. As eThekwini, we are determined to change this narrative by placing people at the centre of our resilience efforts,” she said.
She added that through these engagements, the Municipality is strengthening its ability to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure that every resident, especially the most vulnerable, are reached, heard, and supported.
“This is how we build a truly resilient and caring city,” said Councillor Myeni.
Throughout the summit, stakeholders, experts, and practitioners echoed a common message: resilience without inclusivity is incomplete.
Discussions extended beyond policy and focused on the lived realities of those most at risk, including women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and informal settlement communities, who often face barriers to early warning systems, access to services, and emergency support.
Sophia Kamau, Technical Advisor with the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa, underscored the urgency of inclusive action, saying true resilience is measured by how effectively cities protect their most vulnerable residents.
“EThekwini is demonstrating real leadership by turning inclusion into action, ensuring that disaster risk reduction is not only effective, but equitable and people-driven,” she said.
Stakeholders also explored practical ways to ensure that early warning systems reach everyone, services are accessible to all, and disaster planning reflects the real needs of communities.
From gender mainstreaming to disability inclusion, the summit challenged the status quo and called for systems that are not only effective, but fair and just.
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