Disaster Response and the Africa We Want

Africa faces an escalating burden of disasters - from extreme droughts and floods to pandemics and devastating cyclones. Driven by climate change, historical inequalities, and governance challenges, these crises are stalling development across the continent. Too often, disaster management relies on a reactive "firefighting" approach - a fatal strategy that exacerbates mortality and structural damage. Furthermore, these events are not isolated; they intersect with deeply rooted vulnerabilities, rendering disasters an ongoing social condition rather than temporary disruptions. Disaster Response and the Africa We Want moves beyond these reactive mechanisms to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary exploration of disaster risk and governance. Highlighting the lived realities of affected communities, this volume foregrounds African knowledge systems, local voices, and culturally responsive practices to shape sustainable risk reduction. By challenging existing paradigms, the book provides clear pathways for inclusive, context-specific resilience. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars dedicated to realising the "Africa We Want" - a continent scaffolded by equitable development, epistemic pluralism, and proactive disaster mitigation.