DISASTER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DMISA)
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2026
21-22 October 2026
Venue: To be confirmed, Gauteng Province, South Africa
THEME: “RESILIENCE STARTS WITH US – BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ADVANCING the SDGS FOR A SAFER FUTURE”
The Annual DMISA Conference is the largest annual Disaster Management Conference in Africa. The conference provides opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders in disaster management from across Southern Africa and the world to gather and share skills, knowledge and experience in order to promote disaster risk reduction in Southern Africa and beyond.
DMISA is the non-profit professional association and community of practice for Disaster Management in Southern Africa and the SAQA recognised professional body for Disaster Management in South Africa.
The Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) invites practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and civil society leaders to submit papers for presentation at the 2026 Disaster Risk Reduction Conference (DRRC). This year’s conference focuses on collective responsibility for resilience and sustainable development, as well as teamwork in disaster risk and response management, working towards prepared homes, resilient communities and sustainable futures.
Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 will provide opportunity for considering past and future manifestations of disaster risk in Southern Africa and internationally, and to build enlightened consensus towards active disaster risk reduction, resilience and risk governance in both urban and rural settings.
In step with the multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral nature of disaster risk reduction and resilience building, there are of course many specific topics that could be covered under the “Resilience Starts With Us” banner, and DMISA would like to encourage innovate and forward-looking discourse that activates and encourages on a practical level.
The call for papers will soon be available on our website and Facebook page.
For more information, go to www.disaster.co.za or Facebook.
Invitation to DRRC 2026
Practitioners and stakeholders in Disaster Management and related disciplines are cordially invited to the
DMISA DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2026
When: 21 - 22 October 2026 (Pre-conference Workshop on 20 Oct)
Where: TBC, City of Tshwane, Gauteng Province, South Africa
DMISA, the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa, is the professional association and community of practice for Disaster Management in Southern Africa and the SAQA recognised professional body for Disaster Management in South Africa. We proudly present:
DMISA DRRC 2026: “RESILIENCE STARTS WITH US – BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ADVANCING THE SDGS FOR A SAFER FUTURE”
DRRC 2026 brings together diverse voices to critically assess progress, identify remaining gaps, and chart a practical way forward.
Our esteemed panel of local and international speakers will unpack key dimensions of disaster risk reduction, with a focus on:
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026: “Resilience Starts at Home” and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable)
Sub-themes:
- Disaster Risk Reduction- a shared responsibility of Governments, the private sector and Households:
- Enforcing risk-sensitive land-use and building regulations
- Involving communities and households in disaster risk reduction
- Underserved planning processes, risk reduction measures and building regulation in informal settlements
- The ways homes are planned, built, financed and maintained determine whether risk is reduced or created.
- Accessible and understandable Early Warning Systems.
UN-Habitat World Urban Forum WUF13 “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities” - The urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
Localizing the Sendai Framework
Restore to Build Back Better
Ready for Tomorrow
Financing and Capacity at the Frontline
Data, Innovation and Local Knowledge
Investing in Resilience
From Risk to Resilience
Building Resilient Communities
Resilient Futures
The Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa’s Annual Disaster Risk Reduction Conference is a highlight on the Disaster Management calendar. The Institute is recognized as the mouthpiece of the Disaster Management profession in Southern Africa and the annual conference is a critical in-person learning and networking opportunity. Proudly presented by the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) in partnership with Gauteng Province and supported by the South African National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), SALGA and SANTAM the conference provides an annual opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders in disaster management from across Africa to gather and share skills, knowledge and experience.
This year’s conference will be held in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Programme Outline
Tuesday 20 Oct 2026
Pre-Conference Workshop 10:00 – 13:00
DMISA AGM 14:00 – 16:00
Early Registration from 17:00
Meet & Greet 18:00
Wednesday 21 Oct 2026
Conference Day 1 – 08:00 – 16:00
Thursday 22 Oct 2026
Conference Day 2 – 08:00 – 16:00
ACCOMMODATION: See options here.
EXHIBITION SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE: Please direct enquiries to Lerato Monyela: E-mail: admin@disaster.co.za.
REGISTRATION FEES which include all teas as well as lunch on both days and evening functions on 20 October 2026 (Meet & Greet) and 21 October 2025 (Gala Dinner) have been set at very reasonable rates as follows:
MEMBERS OF DMISA: R 5 000-00
NON-MEMBERS: R 5 500-00
REGISTER ONLINE USING THIS LINK: Register here.
CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATIONS AND PAYMENT: 30 SEPTEMBER 2026
LATE REGISTRATIONS, IF ACCEPTED, WILL BE SUBJECT TO A PENALTY OF R 1 000 PER DELEGATE
Should you have any further enquiries, do not hesitate to contact our office at: admin@disaster.co.za Website: www.disaster.co.za DMISA Members: Please remember the Annual General Meeting which will be held on 20 October 2026 from 14:00