Natural and Human – induced Hazards and Disasters in Africa

Natural and human-induced environmental hazards are becoming increasingly prominent. The frequency of recorded natural disasters rose markedly during the last century, from about 100 per in the years up to 1940 to nearly 2800 during the 1990s. Africa is the only continent whose share of reported disasters has increased over the past decade. Several factors contribute to Africa's high vulnerability to disasters. These include the high rate of population growth, food insecurity, high levels of poverty, inappropriate use of natural resources, and failures of policy and institutional frameworks. Despite the huge negative impact of natural and human-induced hazards on Africa's development, little is done to prevent them. Disaster prevention contributes to lasting improvement in safety and sustainable livelihoods and is essential as part of integrated disaster management strategies. The provision of effective scientific input to policy formulation on various issues related to hazards and disasters is an ambitious undertaking. It requires the collaborative effort of the African scientific community to develop comprehensive long-term strategies and human capacity-building initiatives that will enable science to benefit society. This will further require: a) Building strong research and training institutions in Africa at national and regional levels; b) Facilitating the exchange of scientific information and sharing of ideas across borders; c) Strengthening the link between scientific research and policy making; d) Promoting outreach activities to build resilience to disaster risk; and e) Tapping the knowledge base of rural and urban communities. In this volume, the ICSU ROA has brought together selected African scientific researchers to share their views on policy direction for facing challenges linked to natural and human-induced hazards. The book is intended for policy advisers, environmental scientists, government officials and members of the general public with a special interest in environmental issues.

1. Introduction: An Assessment of Impacts and Losses Posed by Hazards and Disasters in Africa

Part I: Geophysical Hazards
2. African Earthquakes
3. Hazards and Disasters from Eruptions of Active Volcanoes
4. Volcanic Terrains that Release Asphyxiating Carbon Dioxide
5. Mass Movements
6. Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining on Human Health and the Livelihood of Local Communities in the Macalder Gold Mine Area of Nyatike Division, in Kenya

Part II: Hydrometeorogical Hazards
7. Cyclone Hazards
8. Occurrences and Effect of Drought in Sub-Saharan Africa
9. Status of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

Part III: Vulnerability to Hazards
10. Pollution Vulnerability of Coastal Ecosystems and Contingency Planning Imperatives: Nigerian Case Study
11. Coastal Vulnerability: Groundwater Signatures from the Nigerian Coast
12. Coastal Hazards in Africa
13. Urban Hazards and Vulnerabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa
14. Factors Contributing to Vulnerability in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
15. Conclusion