Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating factors that influence seasonal migration of flood prone populations in the Shire River Valley. Seasonal Migration is common in the Shire River Valley during every flooding season. This tendency has caused chronic poverty amongst flood-prone populations as they lose assets, crops, livestock each time they move from one place to the other. The IHS (2017) report stated that the flood-prone populations tend to be poorer due to seasonal migration caused by floods. The studywas carried out in five (5) Traditional Authorities namely; Nyachikadza, Mbenje and Tengani in Nsanje district and Makhuwira and Kasisi in Chikwawa district. The study purposefully targeted 100 flood affected individuals who were randomly sampled from 10 camps (7 camps and 70 individuals in Nsanje, 3 camps and 30 individuals in Chikwawa) that were existent during the 2019 Cyclone Idai flood disaster for survey interviews. The quantitative data was analyzed using an SPSS IBM version 20 which enabled calculations of descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), coupled with pairwise ranking matrix which ranked the factors in order of importance. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were also used with local leaders, Civil Protection Committees (CPCs) and experienced district officials. The qualitative data was analyzed by reviewing the transcriptions, verbal recordings and observations. The research results showed that the main factors that influence seasonal migration of flood-prone populations, in order of importance, are largely economic factors, physical factors, political factors and socio-cultural factors. These factors are aggravated by the challenges faced by flood-affected populations while in camps and shorter distances between the camp sites and original areas. The study also affirmed that flood-prone populations return to the flood-prone areas in order to cultivate (82%) and fishing (53%) which are broadly economic reasons. The second broader reason is physical factor to secure their ancestral land (63%) in the flood prone areas justified by the reason that they do not have land to settle and cultivate in the upland. This study recommends that tailor-made solutions focused on the above factors in their priorities must be implemented. To do this better, there must be exhaustive consultations between Government, local leaders, communities and stakeholders in resettlement policy frameworks, livelihoods options and relevant land laws to guide relocation of flood-prone populations.

More details

School	: School of Arts, Communication and Design
Issued Date	: 2021

Download full document