An exhilarating webinar was recently hosted by the College of Health Sciences on the topic: Community and Faith-Based Approaches to address Disasters and the Climate Crisis in South Africa.
A pertinent topic given the recent KwaZulu-Natal flood disasters, the underlying message of the webinar was that global solidarity and interconnectedness of the individual and the environment is key to tackling major disasters and climate change.
The webinar was based on a study published in the prestigious journal PLOS Climate led by Dr Mitsuaki Tomita and colleagues from UKZN’s Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems (SHEFS) research team (https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000024) which found an association between cumulative community disaster exposure and the first onset of depression among certain socially vulnerable populations (ie women, Black Africans, unemployed and low-income households).
‘Disasters give us an opportunity to build communities that are vulnerable by leveraging experts and encouraging solidarity,’ said one of the panelists, Ms Yasmin Rajah, Diakonia Centre Director Refugee Social Services. Rajah, who works directly with survivors of disasters – mainly man-made disasters – recalled the various challenges refugees experience, both en route to South Africa and whilst in the country including xenophobic violence. ‘Refugees lose their support networks when fleeing from their countries. Let’s find people in communities that can be trained to offer disaster management services so we can build strong networks in KwaZulu-Natal,’ she said.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the renowned humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers (GOTG) has been involved in disaster management for the last 30 years. During that time, the organisation has built 21 categories of projects on disaster management which are based on the GOTG’s key principles of spirituality, morality, values and ethics. Sooliman mentioned that the success of GOTG is due to its staff who are passionate about helping communities. ‘My staff don’t do this for a salary. They choose to work on weekends, evenings and public holidays because we believe that God has sent us to instill hope and love through spirituality and good work.’
Mr Gabriel Manyangadze, Programmes Manager and Climate Justice Coordinator at Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute said experience has taught him that after a disaster, different faiths are affected in various ways. The most devastating loss is that of key places of worship and hence the inability of faith communities to unite to perform faith rituals in the face of great loss. Manyangadze’s institute plays a pivotal role in disaster management by making church halls available as temporary shelters.
‘Love will ultimately save us from climate change’ was the resounding message by Quaker, Professor Geoff Harris who is based at the International Centre of Nonviolence (Durban University of Technology). He said: ‘We need to train and motivate our students, the youth, to take action and bring about social change. Be an inspiration. Get involved in more organisations that deal with climate change.’
Dr Khosi Kubeka, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Development at the University of Cape Town, is a Buddhist who has held a lifelong belief in the power of the youth. Kubeka firmly believes in the fact that nothing exists in isolation. ‘The individual cannot be separated from the environment. None of us live in isolation but in the oneness of life. Through meaningful interaction or Ubuntu, we can promote global solidarity,’ she said. Echoing the sentiments of previous speakers, Kubeka encouraged the youth to lead disaster preparedness efforts through active dialogue especially on climate change. She also encouraged youth leadership to be inclusive and equitable.
Mr Suntosh Pillay, a clinical psychologist at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex and researcher affiliated to the College of Health Sciences at UKZN, facilitated the webinar and ended off with a strong message by renowned climate activist, Dr Kumi Naidoo, who said: ‘The most important thing you can do as youth is to become an ambassador for climate change because there’s no planet B.’
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Image: Supplied
