A new study analysing humanitarian trends in southern Africa revealed an extremely complex risk profile. From 2000-2012, 47 international humanitarian emergencies were reported, with 37 of these linked to a clear environmental shock/stress. Altogether, there were 26 appeals to assist more than 14 million people affected by floods alone.

The study underlines however, that humanitarian emergencies are increasingly driven, over time, by complex and inter-related political, economic and environmental circumstances, rather than single, identifiable shocks. It identifies environmental threats as one of six areas of concern, that include aggregate (economic) threats, socio-political shocks, public health threats, aid shocks, and compound and composite threats.

The study was commissioned by southern Africa’s Regional Interagency Standing Committee (RIASCO) and coordinated by the Disaster Mitigation for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. It hopes to contribute towards a clearer understanding of the region’s humanitarian risk profile.

For access to the full study, click here.