A rights-based analysis of disaster risk reduction framework in Zimbabwe and its implications for policy and practice

Abstract

<p><span>This paper examines closely the institutional arrangements for disaster risk reduction from a rights-based perspective. In Zimbabwe, the disaster risk reduction framework and the ensuing practice have not yet accommodated some of the most vulnerable and excluded groups, especially the terminally ill, people with disabilities and the very poor. Top-down approaches to disaster management have largely been blamed for lack of resilience and poor preparedness on the part of sections of society that are hard hit by disasters. Often, disaster risk reduction has also been modeled along the needs and priorities of able-bodied people, whilst largely excluding those with various forms of impairments. Against this background, this paper is based on field research on people’s disaster risk experiences in four districts of Zimbabwe, with a special emphasis on the disaster risk reduction framework. It provides a critical analysis of the disaster risk reduction framework in Zimbabwe, focusing on the various forms of disadvantages to different categories of people that the current framework has tended to generate. The paper thus examines the current disaster risk reduction framework as largely informed by the </span><em>Civil Protection Act</em><span> and the Disaster Risk Management Policy Draft as revised in 2011. Crucial at this stage is the need to interrogate the disaster risk reduction framework, right from formulation processes with regard to participation and stakeholders, particularly the grassroots people who bear the greatest brunt of vulnerability, shocks, stresses and trends. In conclusion, the paper stresses the potential benefits of adopting an inclusive, rights-based thrust to disaster risk reduction in Zimbabwe.</span></p

Improving disaster risk reduction capacity of District Civil Protection Units in managing veld fires: A case of Mangwe District in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe

“…This legislation resulted in the creation of the Department of Civil Protection (Bongo et al . 2013 ). The Department is currently housed within the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development as the implementing body of the national government-initiated disaster preparedness and mitigation programmes (Chikoto 2004 ).…”

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

“…HIV and/or AIDS has adversely affected children also in indirect ways, as seen in the phenomenon of child-headed households, thereby compromising the cross-section of provision rights. According to Bongo et al ( 2013 ) approximately 600 000 children have been orphaned owing to the effects of AIDS. The HIV and/or AIDS pandemic can therefore be considered to have created an environment of risk amongst children.…”

The impact of collaborative strategies on disaster risk reduction in Zimbabwe dairy supply chains in 2016

“…Zimbabwe has also experienced an increase in natural and human disasters such as disease outbreaks, floods, droughts, veld fires, storms, road traffic accidents and army worm invasions affecting 6.8% of its yearly population (Betera 2011;Bongo et al 2013;Kellett & Spark 2012). A report by Government of Zimbabwe and United Nations (2012) suggests that related disasters are going to increase in the country.…”

“…Scholarships on Zimbabwe, notably by Betera (2011) and Bongo et al (2013), have generalised the impact of disasters on the economy of the country without giving particular attention to their effects on the dairy industry. Bongo et al (2013) examined organisational arrangements for disaster risk reduction from a rights-based perspective.…”

“…Bongo et al (2013) examined organisational arrangements for disaster risk reduction from a rights-based perspective. They concluded that when a rights-based thrust to disaster risk reduction is adopted, the government and civil society can build on what people already know and on communities' social and cultural strengths.…”