STRENGTHENING DISASTER RESILIENCE THROUGH SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION IN BOTSWANA

Social work, as a dynamic and multifaceted profession, confronts a diverse array of challenges that impact humanity in various ways. This includes addressing issues arising from natural disasters, which exhibit a range of types, magnitudes, and intensities. Globally, disasters wreak havoc on infrastructure, claim human lives, trigger economic downturns, and contribute to environmental degradation (Kadi, 2006). Not exempt from these challenges, Botswana faces its own share of natural disasters, encompassing drought, floods, wildfires, animal diseases, earthquakes, tremors, pest infestations, epidemics, and the pervasive influence of HIV and AIDS. The widespread occurrence of drought affects the entire country, while floods disrupt normalcy during the rainy season from October to March. Veld fires become prevalent during the dry months from April to November, peaking in July. The comprehensive impact of these disasters is underscored by the devastating floods experienced in 1999/2000, which affected 23 administrative districts, cities, towns, and villages across Botswana. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of human lives, substantial damage to 17,000 structures (comprising both public and private assets), extensive environmental harm, crop destruction, and the displacement of thousands of individuals (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 2009). This study aims to explore the role of social work in the context of natural disasters in Botswana, with a specific focus on the 1999/2000 floods. By examining the challenges faced and lessons learned during this critical period, the research seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of social work's efficacy in disaster response and management. The implications of natural disasters on communities, the environment, and the economy necessitate a comprehensive and responsive approach within the realm of social work