Hindrances and Opportunities to Effective Linking of Local Community and National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies in Zimbabwe: Lessons from Rural Communities in Mhondoro-Ngezi District

Theorists hold the view that any disaster situation presents challenges as well as opportunities for personal and community growth. This paper aimed at eliciting the views of rural communities in Zimbabwe regarding challenges and opportunities emerging from linking local community and national disaster risk reduction strategies in Mhondoro-Ngezi District. It was found that lack of political will, weak governance, bureaucratic rigidities, poor mobilisation and lack of fiscal resources were some of the factors that militated against effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) programming in Mhondoro-Ngezi. Despite the challenges, opportunities were also identified such as the use of internet and social media that programmers can capitalize on to build resilience and enhancement of preparedness for disasters and their management. It is concluded that the resilience of the people in the study area emanate from their knowledge that community participation in DRR activities provide opportunities both for personal and community growth.