Impact of natural disasters on resettled farmers in Zimbabwe · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Matsambo, Tafadzwa Eugene

Title

Impact of natural disasters on resettled farmers in Zimbabwe

Abstract

To explore the impact of natural disasters on resettled farmers in Muzarabani district, Multidimensional responses are needed to support communities in the face of a changing climate that is continuously exposing communities to shocks such as floods and drought.Strong institutional capacity is essential for drought and floods mitigation and response to prevent the negative social and economic impacts on vulnerable populations. This study assesses the socio economic impacts of the 2015/16 El Nino induced natural disasters and identifies coping mechanisms, preparedness and response strategies that were employed in the Muzarabani district in Mashonaland central Province of Zimbabwe. Muzarabani district area is prone to drought and floods has an erratic rainfall pattern characterized by dry spells. Frequent droughts are making it harder and harder for resettled farmers to cope with each drought occurrence. It is important to understand how resettled farmers, during periods of drought, cope in order to determine how best to implement micro level efforts to support resettled farmers part of risk management and resilience building. Results showed that, to a large extent, resettled farmers in the Muzarabani district were negatively impacted by the drought and experienced yield loss, hunger, loss of livelihoods, food shortages, and loss of livestock, depleted water sources and school drop-outs among other effects. Some of these impacts influenced the coping mechanisms that were adopted, which include selling of livestock, pulling children out of school, reduction of meals, selling of assets and begging for food from neighbours and friends. Results also showed that resettled farmers that were better off before the drought and had better capabilities and assets managed to bounce back quicker and better than others. In terms of preparedness and response, there is a need to capacitate resettled farmers on drought risk reduction through training and sensitization,so that they are able to deal with the effects of drought. The study recommends strengthening the absorptive capacities of resettled farmers in order to improve the stability of farmers when drought occurs through improving knowledge on disaster risk management, access to informal safety nets and savings. The study also recommends that support should be provided to encourage livelihood diversification, asset rehabilitation, protection and accumulation at both resettled farmers and community levels.

Date

June 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

drought, floods, natural disasters, preparedness, mitigation response, resilience

Supervisor

Dr Chipaike