Many of the urban poor in Africa face growing problems of severe flooding. Increased storm frequency and intensity related to climate change are exacerbated by such local factors as the growing occupation of floodplains, increased runoff from hard surfaces, inadequate waste management and silted-up drainage. One can distinguish four types of flooding in urban areas: localized flooding due to inadequate drainage; flooding from small streams within the built-up area; flooding from major rivers; and coastal flooding. ActionAid undertook participatory vulnerability analysis in five African cities, to explore local people's perceptions of why floods occur, how they adjust to them, who is responsible for reducing the flood risk and what action the community itself can take. While local people adapt to floods, recognition of local, national and international governments' and organizations' responsibility to act to alleviate flooding and its causes, especially the consequences of climate change, is urgently needed.
Abam, T., C. Ofoegbu, C. Osadebe and A. Gobo (2000), "Impact of hydrology on the Port Harcourt- Patani-Warri road", EnvironmentalGeology Vol 40, pages 153-162.
2.
Adger, W., S. Huq, K. Brown, D. Conway and M. Hulme (2003), "Adaptation to climate change in the developing world", Progress in Development Studies Vol 3, pages 179-195.
3.
Adger, N. and 63 others (2007), Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Working Group II Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers , Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva.
4.
Akintola, F. (1994), "Flooding phenomenon", in M O Filani et al. (editors), Ibadan Region, Rex Charles Publications in association with Connel Publications, Ibadan, pages 244-255.
5.
Ayoade, J. and F. Akintola (1980), "Flood perception in two Nigerian cities", Environment International Vol 4, pages 227-280.
6.
Babatolu, J. (1997), "The June 24th 1995 flood in Ondo: its antecedents and incidents", Ife Research Publication in Geography Vol 6, pages 158-164.
7.
Comfort, L., B. Wisner, S. Cutter, R. Pulwarty, K. Hewitt, A. Oliver-Smith, J. Wiener, M. Fordham, W. Peacock and F. Krimgold (1999), "Reframing disaster policy: the global evolution of vulnerable communities", Environmental Hazards Vol 1, pages 39-44.
8.
Commission for Africa (2005), Action for a Strong and Prosperous Africa, London, page 249.
9.
Conway, D. (2005), "From headwater tributaries to international river: observing and adapting to climate variability and change in the Nile basin ", Global Environmental Change Vol 15, pages 99-114.
10.
Cross, J.A. (2001), "Megacities and small towns: different perspectives on hazard vulnerability", Environmental Hazards Vol 3, pages 63-80.
11.
El-Raey, M., K.R. Dewidar and M. El-Hattab (2004), "Adaptation to the impacts of sea-level rise in Egypt", Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Vol 4, pages 343-361.
12.
French, G., L. Awosika and C. Ibe (1994), "Sea-level rise in Nigeria: potential impacts and consequences", Journal of Coastal Research No 14, Special Issue, pages 1-45.
13.
Gruntfest, E and J Handmer (editors) (2001), Coping with Flash Floods : Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute , Ravello , Italy, 8-17 November 1999 , NATO Science Partnership Sub-Series, 77, Springer, Berlin.
14.
Gupta, A. and R. Ahmad (1999), "Geomorphology and the urban tropics: building an interface between research and usage", Geomorphology Vol 31, pages 133-149.
15.
Hardoy, J.E., D. Mitlin and D. Satterthwaite (2001), Environmental Problems in an Urbanizing World: Finding Solutions for Cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Earthscan, London.
16.
Independent Evaluation Group (2006), Hazards of Nature: Risks to Development. An IEG Evaluation of World Bank Assistance for Natural Disasters, World Bank, Washington, DC, page 48.
17.
IMF and World Bank (2006), " Clean energy and development: towards an investment framework. DC2006-0002", Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Vice-Presidency and Infrastructure Vice-Presidency, The World Bank, Washington, DC.
18.
Ipcc (2007), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policymakers, WHO, UNEP, accessible at www.aaas.org/news/press_room/climate_change/media/4th_spm2feb07.pdf.
19.
Jackson, I.J. (1989), Climate, Water and Agriculture in the Tropics , Longman, London (second edition).
20.
Jallow, B., S. Toure, M. Barrow and A. Mathieu (1999), "Coastal zone of the Gambia and the Abidjan region in Cote dIvoire: sea-level rise vulnerability, response strategies and adaptation options", Climate Research No 6, Special Issue, pages 137-143.
21.
Magadza, C H D (2000), "Climate change impacts and human settlements in Africa: prospects for adaptation", Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Vol 61, pages 193-205.
22.
Mason, S. and A. Joubert (1997), "Simulated changes in extreme rainfall over southern Africa", International Journal of Climatology Vol 17, pages 291-301.
23.
Mason, S.J., P.R. Waylen, G.M. Mimmack, B. Rajaratnam and M. Harrison (1999), "Changes in extreme rainfall events in South Africa ", Climatic Change Vol 41, pages 249-257.
24.
McGranahan, G., D. Balk and A. Anderson (2007), "The rising tide: assessing the risks of climate change and human settlements in low elevation coastal zones", Environment & Urbanization Vol 19, No 1, April, pages 17-37.
25.
Montz, B.E. and E. Gruntfest (2002), "Flash flood mitigation: recommendations for research and applications", Environmental Hazards Vol 4, pages 15-22.
26.
Muoghalu, L. and A. Okonkwo (1998), "Effects of urban flooding in Akwa, Anambra state, Nigeria", Environmental Review Vol 2, pages 72-81.
27.
Nicholls, R., F. Hoozemans and M. Marchand (1999), Increasing flood risk and wetland losses due to global sea-level rise: regional and global analyses" Global Environmental Change Vol 9, S69-S87.
28.
Olaniran, O. and J. Babatolu (1996), "Recent changes in rainfall pattern and its implications for flood occurrence in Ondo, Nigeria", Ondo Journal of Arts andSocial Sciences Vol 1, pages 125-136.
29.
Ologunorisa, E. (1999), "Flood hazard perception and adjustment in Ondo, southwestern Nigeria", Journal of Nigerian Affairs Vol 4, pages 172-193.
30.
Oriola, O. (1994), "Strategies for combating urban flooding in a developing nation: a case study from Ondo", The Environmentalist Vol 14, pages 57-62.
31.
Pelling, M. (1999), "The political ecology of flood hazard in urban Guyana", Geoforum Vol 30, pages 240-261.
32.
Sachs, W. (2006), "Climate change and human rights", The Pontifical Academy of SciencesScripta Varia Vol 106, pages 349-368.
33.
Singh, A., A. Dieye, M. Finco, M.S. Chenoweth, E.A. Fosnight, and A. Allotey (1999), Early Warning of Selected Emerging Environmental Issues in Africa: Change and Correlation from a Geographic Perspective, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
34.
Smit, B. and J. Wandel (2006), "Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability ", Global Environmental Change Vol 16, pages 282-292.
35.
Stephens, C. (1996), "Healthy cities or unhealthy islands: the health and social implications of urban inequality", Environment & Urbanization Vol 8, No 2, October, pages 9-30.
36.
Stephens, C., I. Timaeus, M. Akerman, S. Avle, P.B. Maia, P. Campanerio, B. Doe, L. Lush, D. Tetteh and T. Harpham (1994), Environment and Health in Developing Countries: An Analysis of Intra-urban Differentials, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 141 pages.
37.
United Nations (2005), Report of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction , Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, 18-22 January 2005, A/Conf 206/6, United Nations, New York.
38.
Viljoen, M. and H. Booysen (2006), "Planning and management of flood damage control: the South African experience", Irrigation and Drainage No 55, S83-S91.
