On crossroads between the right to shelter and looming chances of displacement: Charting towards a resilient and sustainable framework for rural dwellers in flood-prone areas
Flood-induced displacements are a common feature in rural Zimbabwe and there seems to be a lack of deliberate policy and political commitment from the government. Several factors have increased the susceptibility of communities to flood hazards, ranging from poor housing structures, lack of building standards to ensure resilient structures, and climate change.
The study finds that most displaced in Zimbabwe stay in harm’s way (near rivers or dams) due to poverty and their strong reliance on small-scale agriculture. This is perpetuated by salient poverty that is prevalent in their lives as they have no capacity to build strong structures for shelter The study recommends the government to adopt an Internally Displaced Persons policy and establish a commission that monitors rural settlement structures to enhance community resilience.
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