Coping Strategies Used by Flood Victims in Rural Households of Benue State, Nigeria

This study ascertained the coping strategies used by flood victims in rural households of Benue State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 130 respondents. Data collected through structured interview schedules were analysed using percentages, means and Chi-square. Results show that flooding has frequently occurred in the past five years. A higher percentage (80.8%) indicated a negative effect of flooding. Provision of boats to ease movement (89.2%), free infrastructure assistance like IDP camps (85.4%) and early warnings (83.8%) were interventions provided to cushion the effects of flooding. Moving valuable items, praying to God (99.2%), engaging in new income-generating activities (90.8%) and taking relief from organisations (90.0%) were the most utilised coping strategies. Most (75.4%) respondents had high utilisation of coping strategies. A significant relationship existed between superstitious belief (chi(2)=4.317, p=0.038) and the utilisation of coping strategies. The study concluded that flood victims relied mainly on the use of coping strategies. Prompt sensitisations from meteorological stations will help reduce the negative impact of flooding on households.