Designing disaster risk reduction strategies in Zimbabwe: Perceptions of Mhondoro-Ngezi rural communities

Abstract

This paper highlights the opinions of Mhondoro-Ngezi rural communities regarding designing disaster risk reduction strategies. The study was conducted in a rural community of Zimbabwe. A random sample of 192 participants from a district population of 102, 342 took part in the study. A purposive sample of 6 key informants was selected for interviews. Three focus group discussions from 24 respondents were purposively selected. Results showed that there are important factors and procedures that should be considered when designing disaster risk reduction strategies. Benefits of the strategies to the people and its feasibility were considered important. The study recommends that the government should invest in resources mainly for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities to build community resilience for current and frequent risks. Communities should be assisted by government in their effort to use homegrown approaches to disaster risk reduction. The study would help rural disaster risk reduction stakeholders, planners and decision makers to make informed decisions and policies in designing disaster risk reduction strategies to improve community well-being. More importantly, it will add more on the existing body of knowledge regarding issues to do with disaster risk reduction strategies.