Disasters in Africa: the case for legal preparedness
This report provides examples from African countries where National Societies have supported their governments to strengthen their capacity to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters by improving their laws. It states that good legislation can empower both communities and civil society organisations, and integrate them in disaster management in different ways, as the disaster management law of South Africa shows. It also contains a case study on Mozambique, highlighting how the International Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance (IDRL Guidelines) have assisted one government in reviewing the preparedness of its existing frameworks.