Turay Bashiru
Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Institute for Environment and Human Security, United Nations University (UNU-EHS), Bonn, Germany.
Discov Water. 2022;2(1):6. doi: 10.1007/s43832-022-00014-w. Epub 2022 Apr 19.
Result-oriented research can uncover hidden flood management obstacles and propose solutions that, if combined with political will, appropriate technology, and resources, can overcome the majority of Africa's future flood calamities. In view of this, it is critical to examine researchers' findings on flood hazard management, particularly now that the continent is struggling with COVID-19 and other hazards. This study employed a systematic review approach to critically analyze 103 contextually detailed studies with a set of criteria that were not only meant to keep the focus on floods and the COVID-19 pandemic but also to understand the context of managing floods during COVID-19 and other hazards at the same time on the continent. I found that the authors strongly recommend how institutions should create non-structural enabling environments for managing combined hazards. Also, researchers paid little attention to recommending ecosystem-based measures for flood management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. Future research should study how different countries in Africa are preparing to manage multiple future hazards, including the comparative assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of individual countries' planning and preparation.
以结果为导向的研究能够发现隐藏的洪水管理障碍,并提出解决方案。如果这些方案与政治意愿、适当技术和资源相结合,就能克服非洲未来大部分的洪水灾害。鉴于此,审视研究人员关于洪水灾害管理的发现至关重要,尤其是在非洲大陆正与新冠疫情及其他灾害作斗争的当下。本研究采用系统综述方法,依据一组标准对103项详细的背景研究进行批判性分析,这些标准不仅旨在聚焦洪水和新冠疫情,还为了了解在非洲大陆同时应对新冠疫情及其他灾害期间管理洪水的背景情况。我发现,作者们强烈建议机构应如何为管理复合灾害创造非结构性的有利环境。此外,研究人员很少关注在非洲新冠疫情期间推荐基于生态系统的洪水管理措施。未来的研究应探讨非洲不同国家如何准备应对多种未来灾害,包括对各国规划和准备工作的优缺点进行比较评估。