National disaster

Definition. A classification enabling a state to organise the nationwide coordination of public resources in response to a situation whose scale exceeds the ordinary capacity of a single service, administration or territory.

Key points. The legal implications of the expression depend on national law. Classification as a national disaster does not have the same consequences in every country and should not be confused with the declaration of a state of emergency or a state of disaster.

In South Africa, the Disaster Management Act provides the framework for identifying, classifying and managing disasters. National classification makes it possible, among other things, to determine the appropriate level of responsibility and coordination between the institutions concerned.

In November 2025, the South African authorities classified gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. This classification was not equivalent to the declaration of a national state of disaster. The response was to rely on mechanisms provided for under existing legislation and on coordination between the relevant public authorities.

Institutional classification does not prejudge the effectiveness of the measures taken. Their effectiveness depends on the resources committed, their coordination and the results achieved.

Related concepts. Gender-based violence · Femicide · Violence prevention