From Reaction to Pro-action in Zimbabwe: The Bulalima ? Mangwe Districts Drought Coping and Reduction Experience

Disaster risk reduction as a strategy is increasingly gaining prominence in development discourse within the context of a paradigm shift from post-disaster relief andreconstruction to pre-disaster prevention and preparedness. In the SADC region particularly in Zimbabwe, drought has always had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and hence it is no surprise that although many studies have beencarried out on drought coping strategies and not much has been done tounderstand drought risk reduction strategies. Thus there is what can be perceived as a time lag in disaster related paradigm shifts in Zimbabwe. Thus this study aimed to enrich thedrought risk reduction data base. It analyses droughtcoping and risk reduction strategies in communal and resettlementareas of Mangwe District in South West Zimbabwe. Thestudy area was selected on the basis of its exposure to drought and hence its ability in meeting donor funding criteria. Using a range of methods andtools such as the Khanya Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, focusgroup discussions, individual interviews, household questionnairesand observations, a rich body of data on the history, occurrences and impact of droughts on livelihoods, drought coping andrisk reduction strategies was accrued. The data does not only help explainwhat people know and do, but how and why decisions to respond todroughts are made. It establishes the basisupon which coping and risk reduction strategies were undertaken.