Preparing for the storm — grassroots action drives Durban’s climate disaster response
By combining immediate humanitarian relief with long-term urban planning, the Durban Coalition and Gift of the Givers demonstrate how grassroots solidarity can protect vulnerable communities from extreme weather.
In Durban, grassroots action is playing a crucial role in preparing for climate disasters. The Durban Coalition, a non-partisan network of civil society organizations, has been working since May 2022 to address inequality and social justice for vulnerable communities in the eThekwini municipal area. Formed in response to the April 2022 floods that caused 544 deaths and R17.2 billion in economic damage, the coalition aims to create a strong and coordinated civil society network.
Scientists have warned that if we continue burning fossil fuels, we will change the planet's temperature and its weather systems. Governments and the private sector have not acted sufficiently, leading to an age of climate change with more frequent and dangerous weather events. To combat this, the Durban Coalition emphasizes three key processes: transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency, committing to resilience planning in urban and rural settlements, and strengthening community resources to receive early warning messaging and respond to disasters.
The April 2022 floods highlighted the importance of community responses. In those days, neighbors and community members emerged as the first responders. The Durban Coalition, consisting of 35 member organizations, has grown to consolidate a stronger and more coordinated network in the city. In July 2025, their People's Plan to the Right to Housing in the Age of Climate Change was included in the eThekwini Integrated Development Plan.
Gift of the Givers (GoG), a humanitarian NGO with three decades of experience in disaster response and management, has been collaborating with the Durban Coalition. Over the past year, they have focused on providing immediate responses to urgent needs. For instance, when a fire broke out in the Ekuphumleni settlement, GoG provided food support and trauma advice. They also supported Abahlali baseMjondolo, a coalition member, by constructing sanitation services and supplying a wheelchair to a young woman in Inanda.
This partnership has extended to other areas, such as community feeding schemes and Early Childhood Development centers. In Isipingo, south of Durban, GoG responded to a tree collapse caused by strong winds, providing support to displaced families. Ongoing crises, such as homelessness, require a continuum of care that addresses both immediate needs and long-term stability.
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