Disaster preparedness and management: an assessment of the effectiveness of the Zimbabwean government disaster preparedness in the wake of cyclone Idai disaster in Chimanimani district.

Abstract

This study was an assessment of the effectiveness of the Zimbabwean government disaster preparedness in the wake of Cyclone Idai disaster, using Chimanimani District as a case study. The research was mostly interested in establishing the level of effectiveness of government’s response and preparedness to disaster in the current natural disasters such as Cyclone Idai that hit Chimanimani. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The sample size was comprised of people who were in Chimanimani when the Cyclone Idai occurred. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaire and focus group discussions which were held at Ngangu in Chimanimani district. The literature review was used to engage various scholarly views on the issue of disaster preparedness and management. The methodology of the study comprised gathering and analyzing both primary and secondary data. Secondary sources of data consisted of recently published information from journals and other printed materials. The findings were analysed thematically, and they were presented on an objective by objective basis. The study revealed that the government of Zimbabwe was not well prepared to deal with the Cyclone Idai disaster. The study recommended among other things, that there is need to develop better ways of dealing with disasters in time before the loss of lives through developing a very good system of dealing with any forecasted disaster.