Bachelor of Environmental Science in Disaster Risk Reduction

Bachelor of Environmental Sciences in Disaster Risk Reduction

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences in Disaster Risk Reduction is to educate and train learners who can contribute to skills and knowledge for the reduction and management of natural and human induced hazards and disaster risk. It prepares learners to work as experts with knowledge on how to reduce and manage disaster risk and avoid losses of lives and livelihoods. It is geared towards risk reduction and avoidance to ensure sustainable development of communities and the country as a whole. The qualification addresses the need for skilled human capital to address Scientific knowledge on hazards and disasters and the application of knowledge to issues of preparedness (risk and vulnerability assessment and early warning systems) response (mitigation and adaptation) and recovery (damage assessment, resilience evaluation, rehabilitation, reconstruction). It also addresses development of research skills and community engagement capacities. Disasters are complex and hence this qualification is multi-disciplinary in nature emphasizing both Scientific knowledge and application to reduce disaster risk.

Rationale:

In recent times, the world has faced many disasters and losses. Knowledge on disaster risk and implications for development is crucial towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Most qualifications in disaster Risk studies in South Africa are offered at a Postgraduate and Diploma levels hence the need to offer this qualification at the undergraduate level. It will provide skills to address the reduction of these risks grounded on an understanding of the nature and processes that lead to disasters in order to appropriately plan and reduce their impacts in society at national, regional, provincial and local levels. The qualification is informed by the short and long term global agenda of the Sendai Framework for disaster Risk Reduction 2015 -2030 a successor of the Hugo Framework and the revised South African disaster management framework. Every year natural disasters are ravaging communities across many nations in the world. In recent times the world has witnessed disasters associated with climate change in the form of hazards related to severe weather events. Human induced hazards are also affecting millions of people the worst affected being the most vulnerable in society.

Disasters affecting South Africa, the SADC region and other African countries include extreme temperatures, drought, floods and storms. Vulnerability, lack of information, lack of resources, weak or non-existent early warning systems and fragile infrastructure all contribute to disaster situations. Disasters affect livelihoods, cause losses in lives, assets, the economy and the environment. The capacity to cope with disasters is further accentuated by population growth, disease outbreaks conflict and civil unrest. Different countries in Africa are devising various responses including prioritizing training, research and community engagements to meet their capacity needs. The South African National Disaster Management Centre is responsible to promote the implementation of Disaster Management (Act 57 of 2002) through establishment of an integrated and co-ordinated system of disaster management, with special emphasis on risk reduction, which includes disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation by national provincial organs of state, statutory functionaries, national government line departments, other role players in disaster management and communities. The Centre further supports the implementation of education, training and public awareness supported by scientific research.

In 2010, the National Disaster Management centre conducted a National Education, Training and Research Needs and Resource Analysis (NETaRNRA). The results show that there is a need to develop a national disaster risk management education and training framework and to design disaster risk management education qualification that form part of the formal education system. Creation of awareness, establishment of media relations and establishment of research qualifications were also identified as crucial. Due to the critical need for disaster management expertise and research knowledge to manage disaster risk within the development spectrum, the need was identified to support higher education institutions in this regard.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven clear targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks: (i) Understanding disaster risk; (ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; (iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience and (iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It aims to achieve the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries over the next 15 years. The Framework was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.