A qualitative inquiry on the physical, psychological and social effects of the 2022 floods on individuals, families and communities’ in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

In April 2022, eThekwini metropolitan, situated in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal experienced one of the most devastating floods events in recent history. The heavy rains caused landslides, mass destruction of homes, damages to infrastructure and the displacement of thousands of people. Many communities were affected and homes and businesses washed away, particularly those in informal settlements and homes in low lying areas. The flooding disaster also affected the transport systems causing businesses to become affected and disrupting people’s access to healthcare and schools. Thousands of people were displaced into temporary and long term shelters with limited resources. Whilst the number of floods that have affected human societies has increased globally each year, little empirical research related to how it was experienced in South Africa has been done. This study sought to explore the physical and psychosocial effects of the April 2022 floods on individuals, families and communities, in South Africa as well as the role of faith based organizations within the disaster response and recovery efforts. A qualitative case study design was used to inform the study process. Non-probability purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit a total of forty-three participants. Four samples were recruited. The first three were community members affected by the floods and residing within an urban area, semi-rural area and an informal settlement. The fourth sample included participants from a Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith-based organisation. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data which was then analysed using thematic analysis. The key findings show that participants suffered significant physical hardship including injury, illness and exposure to poor living conditions in the aftermath of their displacement. Families reported the loss of their homes, essential belongings and items of sentiment. The study highlighted that those living in disadvantaged spaces, such as informal settlements, endured the largest losses as their homes were most vulnerable to the heavy rainwaters, as they were built from poor building materials. The floods also damaged community infrastructure and utilities such as electricity and sanitation, placing community members at risk of health issues. The psychological effects on the participants were also widespread and participants described experiencing substantial levels of sadness, fear, anger and anxiety. Families were displaced and community support was weakened, further affecting the mental health of participants. Faith-based organizations were found to play a significant role in the response and recovery activities. They mobilized quickly to provide shelter, food, clothing and bedding for those who were displaced. They created safe spaces for weeks and months not only by providing material assistance, but also through offering counselling, prayer and spiritual support, thereby helping individuals and families to process their losses and fostering resilience. The data also showed that the early warning signs associated with weather forecasting were not well communicated to those most vulnerable, as most people were unaware of the impending flood and its dangers. In conclusion, this study offered rich and insightful perspectives into the lives of those affected by the floods. It reflected the interconnected nature between the physical, psychological, social and spiritual effects of the flood, by showing how damages to homes, livelihoods and the displacement were intertwined with mental health struggles and social isolation. Faith based organizations filled a critical gap in service provision and contributed meaningfully to the disaster response and recovery. This study will contribute to the disaster management policies and strategies in eThekwini and South Africa, through its holistic findings, on how individuals, families and communities were affected and the role played by local government and community organizations in responding to the disaster.