Rural households’ vulnerability and risk of flooding in Mbire District, Zimbabwe

Flood risk studies remain focused on understanding causation, impacts, perceptions and coping and adaptation measures and there remain many inappropriate measures taken to reduce household risk. Through a case study approach, this study assessed rural household vulnerability to flooding which helped to determine the level of risk to flood hazards in Mbire District of Zimbabwe. Three hundred and thirty-five (335) households were randomly selected to participate in the survey. The composite index approach was used to calculate vulnerability and risk indices. Results indicated that more than 70% of the households were highly vulnerable to flooding and about 50% were in the medium to very high categories of flood risk. Household vulnerability was not only a question of the natural flood event, but a result of the intersection of poor socio-economic conditions and the physical exposure to floods. The socio-economic determinants of vulnerability included high levels of unemployment resulting in low income and poverty; low levels of education; and over-dependence of the community on rain-fed smallholder farming. Physical exposure of the community mainly resulted from materials used to construct houses. Pole and dagga houses had a higher degree of exposure compared to houses with bricks and cement. Therefore, we recommend that instead of focusing on the whole ward/district the institutional services should first target the most vulnerable and at risk households in order to increase their capacity in dealing with flood hazards.