ABSTRACT
This study examined Zimbabwe’s disaster preparedness and management mechanisms. It
used the Tokwe Mukosi floods as a case study. The study employed both qualitative and
quantitative approaches. The study had discussions with key stakeholders at provincial,
district and community level as well as randomly sampled households. Quantitative
Household Questionnaires and Qualitative Key Informant Interviews were used to collect the
data. The study established that Zimbabwe’s disaster management strategies are very poor
for the government on its own cannot curb these disasters. These recommendations have been
proposed:
The government should have a policy framework to cope up with disasters.
Disaster risk management should be integrated in development planning and
management at whatever level of governance in Zimbabwe and even at schools.
The civil protection unit should conduct trainings at national, provincial,
district and community level on disaster risk reduction. Communities themselves
should not only blame the government but also try their best to protect themselves
from disasters.
The government should have an operational budget to facilitate quick
responses when disasters occur. Currently the government has no standing budget for
disaster risks. This has caused the government to fail to curb disasters in time as it
will need to first seek support from the international community and nongovernmental
organisations when disasters happen.
The government has failed to fully compensate the flood victims. Therefore
the researcher recommends the government to formulate a broader framework for
restoring livelihoods and compensating the victims who will have lost many valuables
from the disaster.
According to experts there is now 90% probability for high rainfall because of
climate change. Therefore the government should facilitate evacuations before climate
induced disasters occur. People should be removed from river basins to areas which
are not flood prone.
The responsible authorities especially the metrological services department
should conduct awareness campaigns on impending seasonal hazards.
The impact of disasters is now known to be devastating basing on the Tokwe
Mukosi disaster. Therefore there should be the establishment of civil protection
committees at community level to national level with clear terms of reference to
improve the response rate, when disasters strike.
Reliance on early warning systems is also another recommendation. It is
alleged that the Tokwe Mukosi disaster has been detected by meteorologist but o
action was taken. This may be because weather forecasts especially in Zimbabwe are
not reliable. People should rely on weather forecasts.
The government should invest in technical capacity for quick and accurate
assessments of disaster situations and a rapid mechanism to active support from the
international community because it is standard practise that international aid agencies
will not offer support unless government calls .
Furthermore the government should not abuse NGOs operating in their
country. This can lead to withdrawal of aid as witnessed by UNICEF and OXFAM.
The government should be found on the forefront when disasters occur and
what people witnessed at Tokwe- Mukosi where NGOs were found highly active than
the government itself. NGOs should play a second fiddle.
SHELTON, M (2021). Disaster Preparedness And Management Mechanisms In Zimbabwe: A Critical Analysis Of The Tokwe Province. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/disaster-preparedness-and-management-mechanisms-in-zimbabwe-a-critical-analysis-of-the-tokwe-province
SHELTON, MOYO "Disaster Preparedness And Management Mechanisms In Zimbabwe: A Critical Analysis Of The Tokwe Province" Afribary. Afribary, 06 May. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/disaster-preparedness-and-management-mechanisms-in-zimbabwe-a-critical-analysis-of-the-tokwe-province. Accessed 09 Nov. 2024.
SHELTON, MOYO . "Disaster Preparedness And Management Mechanisms In Zimbabwe: A Critical Analysis Of The Tokwe Province". Afribary, Afribary, 06 May. 2021. Web. 09 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/disaster-preparedness-and-management-mechanisms-in-zimbabwe-a-critical-analysis-of-the-tokwe-province >.
SHELTON, MOYO . "Disaster Preparedness And Management Mechanisms In Zimbabwe: A Critical Analysis Of The Tokwe Province" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 09, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/disaster-preparedness-and-management-mechanisms-in-zimbabwe-a-critical-analysis-of-the-tokwe-province