Cyclone, famine signs of bad things to come

This week Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai. The United Nations estimates that it might be the worst ever disaster to strike Southern Africa. More than 1,500 fatalities have been reported. More than 2.6 million people are likely to be affected across the three countries. More than 600,000 have already been displaced. And the level of physical damage is unimaginable. Towns and cities in Mozambique have been destroyed.

Right now, the focus should be on rescuing the affected and the massive reconstruction effort that will be required. But after that is done, leaders in Southern Africa should focus their energies of making their cities, towns, and communities able to withstand such natural disasters. Architectural styles and layout of cities and towns will have to change. Governments will have to adapt to better warning systems and develop capacity for rapid response. Both should be done with the understanding that this problem is likely to get worse.