A call to establish a child-centred disaster management framework in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Disasters have increased in intensity and frequency in recent times. However, disasters do not affect all groups in a society in a similar manner. This article, based mainly on qualitative desk research and document analysis, aims to illuminate the specific vulnerability of children to hazards and disasters. The research showed that owing to their special physiological, psychological, emotional and economic stature, children are an inherently vulnerable group. The paper advocates for existing disaster management structures and systems in Zimbabwe to elevate reduction of disaster risk amongst children within the scope of child protection, which aims to create a protective environment that shelters children from any form of harm or abuse. The paper proffers recommendations on how to design disaster management programmes in Zimbabwe with the needs of children in mind.

Children and Young People’s Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction

“…To this extent, it is important to examine adult imaginaries of children and participation, overcoming the perception of children as a passive and homogeneous group. Similarly, it is crucial to make visible the importance of socio-economic (Grotberg, 2001) and cultural specificities (Sillah, 2015;Taylor and Peace, 2015), as well as gender, disability (Boon et al, 2011;Ronoh et al, 2015a, b), ethnic diversity (Bolton et al, 2014), religion (Haynes et al, 2010;Taylor and Peace, 2015) or location (Gaillard and Pangilinan, 2010), to name a few variables affecting and shaping children's experience and possibilities for participation. Disability and gender are of particular interest in disaster research.…”

Children and Young People’s Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction

“…To this extent, it is important to examine adult imaginaries of children and participation, overcoming the perception of children as a passive and homogeneous group. Similarly, it is crucial to make visible the importance of socio-economic (Grotberg, 2001) and cultural specificities (Sillah, 2015;Taylor and Peace, 2015), as well as gender, disability (Boon et al, 2011;Ronoh et al, 2015a, b), ethnic diversity (Bolton et al, 2014), religion (Haynes et al, 2010;Taylor and Peace, 2015) or location (Gaillard and Pangilinan, 2010), to name a few variables affecting and shaping children's experience and possibilities for participation. Disability and gender are of particular interest in disaster research.…”

Using Models to Deal With Hazards and Disasters: A Trajectory Towards Effective Disaster Management in Zimbabwe

“…For instance, response mechanisms, vulnerability assessment and setting up an institutional framework. Sillah (2015) adds that the preparedness phase involves putting in place measures that allow people to react in the face of disaster. However, this phase does not nullify occurrence of any possible disaster.…”

“…Zimbabwe, in addition to South Africa and Mozambique, is one of the countries in Southern Africa with a history of being affected by different kinds of disasters. Disasters in Zimbabwe have increased in intensity and frequency in recent times, with the country experiencing disasters such as floods, drought, veld fires, AIDS pandemic, cholera outbreaks and transport accidents (Dube, 2015;Sillah, 2015). Disaster statistics can reveal that between 1980 and 2010, 35 natural disasters mainly droughts, floods, cyclones and epidemics have been recorded in Zimbabwe, resulting in 6 448 deaths (Prevention Web 2012).…”