Towards a community-led disaster response in informal settlements. A pilot study in South Africa

Rapid urbanization and climate change contribute to the increased vulnerability of informal urbanisation, making informal dwellers more prone to natural disasters. Nevertheless, informal communities show inbuilt resilience in coping with such catastrophic events. This research seeks to map and characterize vulnerability to natural hazards in informal settlements in South Africa. By combining drone imagery with collaborative mapping, this pilot study proposes a novel approach to enhance community resilience and co-design practical strategies for disaster management in informal settlements. The proposed approach seeks to stimulate a community-led response to risks, focusing on implementing early warning systems and using low-cost moisture and fire sensors, while showing how vulnerable communities can actively participate as co-researchers in disaster management planning. Findings show the value of participatory workshops, the establishment of community disaster committees, and the use of accessible communication channels to strengthen disaster risk education and awareness. This research highlighted the critical role of leadership and capacity building in informal communities as a key strategy for fostering community resilience and self-reliance, and advancing community-led approaches to risk management. By combining local and Indigenous knowledge with technical tools and community-driven approaches, this study presents a framework for inclusive disaster risk reduction in vulnerable settings.