final evaluation binga vca report

ZIMBABWE RED CROSS SOCIETY

VULNERABILITY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

SIACHILABA AND SIMATELELE WARDS: BINGA DISTRICT MATABELELAND NORTH PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE.

JUNE 2012Table of Contents

Executive SummaryA VCA exercise was carried out in Binga between 11 and 15 June 2012.This was part of the DM project activities being implemented in Binga district. The project named Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES) is supported by the American Red Cross and covers 2 wards of Siachilaba and Simatelela for an initial 2 year period. The overall goal of the project is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and socio-economic impacts caused by disasters by strengthening the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and building safer, more resilient communities. Expected outcomes of the project are: (1) an enhanced capacity of Red Cross to deliver, coordinate, and advocate for disaster risk management. This can be achieved by training 30 volunteers and 10 staff members.(ii) Communities are strong (knowledgeable, organized and prepared, connected, protected) and resilient to the impacts of potential disasters. This will be achieved through reaching out to 9 875 direct and 18 516 indirect beneficiaries and 60 stakeholders.

VCA is a method of investigation into the risks that people face in their locality, their vulnerability to those risks and their capacity to cope with and recover from disasters. With VCA, local people and communities become the focus not only as recipients of funding, but ideally as active participants in the development initiative. ZRCS has done VCAs before and the exercise was a build up on previous such exercises. A variety of tools were used as listed below:

ToolParticipantsNumber

Disaster profile, historical time line, vulnerabilities matrix, capacity assessment tool, mapping, seasonal calendarVolunteers and disaster management committees33

Transect walks and Direct observationvillages6 villages, 2 wards

Focus Group Discussion3 groups per village (men, women and community leader)18 Focus groups

Key InformantsDA,Police, RDC, MOHCW, Education, Social Services6 Interviews

VCA Findings

Across the villages, communities identified the following:

Hazards and risky areas

Zambezi River (boat accidents)

Roads and Bridges (road accidents)

Business Centres (HIV/AIDS)

Dam/ Open water sources (cholera)

Forest (Problem Animals, Veld fires)

Schools (built with fragile and substandard materials)

Disasters

Drought

Diseases (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Scabies, Cholera

Violent winds

Problem animals

Accidents (boat, road accidents)

Capacity/Resources/Coping Mechanisms

Harvesting Wild Fruits

Basket Weaving

Seasonal Gardening

Fishing

Availability of manpower

Setting up temporary structures

Government and NGO support

CAMPFIRE

Challenges

Low literacy levels

Limited knowledge on health issues, Problem Animal Control, Natural Resource Management.

Limited opportunities for dry land farming.

Inadequate availability of borehole water and low sanitation coverage

Limited resources. This is mainly from limited access to markets. Hence limited capacity to make proper boats, send children to school etc

Limited health centres. Long distances to clinics

Limited access to markets for local resources like fish and baskets

Disenfranchisement due to limited Govt and NGO attention, failure of historical promises of development and provision of water sources, inadequacy of the CAMPFIRE project to adequately reward communities and controlling problem animal, threats of cultural erosion and perennial droughts.

Recommendations

Continued support to Govt to address developmental issues.

Continue strengthening DRR initiatives in the area.

Consider taking other ZRCS Integrated projects to Binga. Appeal for additional support.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Introduction

This chapter introduces the Binga District by placing it into a national map and then provides detailed District Profile as well as characteristics of the targeted wards. Within this chapter the project proposal will also be discussed, VCA will also be defined and its objectives will be listed.

Binga District.

Zimbabwe is made of up of ten provinces and 62 districts containing an estimated population of about 13 million people comprising a number of ethnic groups. It is estimated that Shona comprise of 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11% mixed and Asian 1% and white less than 1% (Census, 2002).

Binga is one of the seven districts of Matabeleland North province. It is located in the northwest part of the country bordering Gokwe district in the East, Kariba to the North, Hwange and Lupane to the south and Zambia to the West. The district consists of 25 wards. Binga town is the administrative centre of the district. The district has an estimated population of 127, 379.The majority of the population of Binga belongs to Tonga ethnic group.

Map showing geographical position of Binga District

Binga is historically mostly a wilderness area, with most of the local population of Tonga speakers resident along the Zambezi River and its tributaries until the construction of the Kariba dam in the 1950s.Their riverine location was important for cultivation in an area with low rainfall. The district has four agro ecological zones: Poor resource Kariba Valley and Kariangwe-Jambezi, Siabuwa-Nebiri Low Cotton, Lusulu communal and Agro fisheries.

Most of the population of Binga were forcibly resettled because of the Kariba dam and remain unable to sustain themselves through agriculture, due to the very limited riverine land in the interior, and the poor soils and low rainfall. Thus they eke out a living through combining gathering, fishing on the lake where and when Government allows and illegal hunting and continuous famine relief. Binga is a drought prone area with a mean annual rainfall in the range of 450-500mm and lies in natural region IV and V, an area more suited to livestock rearing. However the presence of tsetse fly in a number of areas has reduced the scope for livestock activities.

Ward 8 Profile

Ward 8 is known as a Simatelele and covers Chileya, Zingozo and Siamuloba villages/communities. The ward as an estimated population of 4455 comprising 1308 households.

Education

They are 2 primary schools in this ward namely Sebungwe Mouth and Simatelele. Both schools were built after independence and are owned by council. There is no secondary school in the ward and they are 4 crches.

Health

There is a clinic at Simatelele business centre in this ward.

Business centres

There is one business centre known as Simatelele.

Dams

There are no dams in this ward but there some boreholes with only a few number functioning.

Animal Health Centre

There is one dip tank known as Simatelele and an animal health management centre known as Sianzundu.

Ward 10 ProfileWard 10 is also known as Siachilaba and covers Siansinse, Kasikili, Sianoti, Siamwinde 1 and 2, Chumpamanda and Siantungwana villages. It has estimated population of 5531 people comprising 1506 households.

Education

There are two council owned primary schools in the ward known as Siachilaba and Gaza which are the only ones in the ward with no secondary school.

Health Facilities

There are no health facilities in the ward but people use Sianzundu clinic in a nearby ward

Business Centres

There is one business centre called Siachilaba. There is electricity and a police post at the centre.

Water supply

There are few and distance boreholes in the ward with some now dysfunctional. There is a dam called Mbeya meant for wildlife, livestock and domestic consumption.

Animal Health Management Services

There is one dip tank called Siachilaba and animal health centre for the ward called Sianzundu

.

NGOs in Binga

Name of NGOService Provided

BasiwliziPromoting Tonga cultural values

NtengweCommunity Development

Matebeleland AIDS CouncilHIV/AIDS prevention and management

CADECLivelihoods

Mvuramanzi TrustWASH

Save the ChildrenRelief, Food Aid

Dabane TrustWATSAN

The New Basket WorkshopBasketry Marketing

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society

The Zimbabwe Red Cross is a part of the family of 181 national societies throughout the world that makes the IFRC movement. Since its inception through the ZRCS Act of 1981, the ZRCS ambitions has been to assist the most vulnerable members of society defined as those that are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. The ZRCS programmes are focused on reducing the suffering of the most vulnerable people and communities by contributing to the reduction of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters and public health emergencies.

Like any Red Cross National Society, ZRCS is guided by the 7 fundamental principles of the Red Cross movement namely humanity, impartiality, neutrality, voluntary service, universality, unity and independence. The society strives on a country wide volunteer support base and branch network consisting of Red Cross oriented community volunteers who support the work of the Red Cross. The ZRCS strategic plan 2011-2020 places more emphasis on the 4 ZRCS programmatic elements of Health and Care, Disaster management, OD and Resource Development taking greater cognizance of climate change issues, new emerging diseases and other changing socio-economic environmental factors in order to minimize their effects on communities.

Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES) Project

Consistent with its mandate and vision, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society with support from the American Red Cross is implementing a Binga District Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Project under the Zambezi River Basin Initiative for a period of two years October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013. The project focuses on National Society capacity development and building community resilience to disasters and is named Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES)

The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, cognizant of the hazards and risks associated with the Zambezi River Basin, chose Binga as one of the priority districts to introduce Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives. A rapid Branch Capacity Assessment and a Vulnerable Capacity Assessment was conducted in December 2008. The VCA tools were used to identify the major hazards in the district. The prominent issues were droughts which lead to food insecurity, the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that brings with it a plethora of problems in the social and economic arena of the people, epidemics such as malaria and cholera, and animal and human conflict which disturb the lake for fishermen and crop destruction in the fields. The assessments were followed up by the introduction of the Community Based Health and First Aid in Action approach in the district in 2010. The BRACES project was introduced as a build up from the previous CBHFA project with further assessments planned to inform long term programming..

The overall goal of the project is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and socio-economic impacts caused by disasters by strengthening the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and building safer, more resilient communities.Expected outcomes of the projects are:

Enhanced capacity of Red Cross to deliver, coordinate, and advocate for disaster risk management. This can be achieved by training 30 volunteers and 10 staff members.

Communities are strong (knowledgeable, organized and prepared, connected, protected) and resilient to the impacts of potential disasters. This will be achieved through reaching out to 9 875 direct and 18 516 indirect beneficiaries and 60 stakeholders.

The project will initially cover 2 wards out of 5 wards which have been identified as the most in need. The two wards are along the Zambezi river basin and the area is sparsely populated. The two wards are not far from the Binga Centre and some parts can access mobile phone service. The highway passes through one of the wards, Siachilaba, and some points have been identified as black spots. The two wards survive on fishing in addition to crop production.

The table below highlights the wards covered with population to be reviewed:

DistrictWard NameCBDRR GroupsPopulationHouseholds

BingaWard Simatelele35 0341 253

Ward Siachilaba34 8411 525

TOTAL69 8752 778

Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA)

VCA is a method of investigation into the risks that people face in their locality, their vulnerability to those risks and their capacity to cope with and recover from disasters. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (godfather of VCA) describes VCA as an integral part (but not the only part) of disaster preparedness that can contribute to the creation of community-based disaster preparedness programmes at the rural and urban grass-roots level. It is a tool which enables local priorities to be identified and leads to the design of actions that contribute to disaster reduction.

With VCA, local people and communities become the focus not only as recipients of funding, but ideally as active participants in the development initiative. When applied to disaster preparedness, such methods can encourage participation, so that people become more completely involved in the identification of risks and in the design of programmes and actions to prepare for disasters. (IFRC, 2006)

Objectives of the VCA.

To identify hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities with a view to design appropriate risk reduction measures and projects for the targeted wards.

To promote greater community awareness of hazards and vulnerabilities and knowledge of basic coping strategies.

To come up with a planning and diagnostic tool for all stakeholders involved in disaster management for the targeted wards in Binga.

CHAPTER TWORESEARCH METHODS

This chapter outlines operational definitions and research methods that were used to gather information for the VCA. It was important to define and clarify the operational definitions to be used in the VCA as well as the methods for data collection.

Definition of key terms in a VCA

Threats or hazards

Persons, things, events or ideas which pose accidentally or deliberately or deliberately some degree or danger to an asset.

Anything that threatens the residents of a community or things they value.

Assets

Those things or aspects that are considered valuable. The may be tangible e.g. facility, equipment, supplies, data, fiancs or people or intangible e.g. reputation, morale, goodwill, opportunity.

Impact

Is the individual consequence and compounded effect of an event. Eg disasters upon those who experience it. I.e. individuals, family units, organizations or communities.

Safeguards

Physical controls, mechanisms, policies and procedures that protect assets from threats.

Risk

Expected degree and nature of loss which is based on a relationship between the probability (how likely) and consequences (how bad) of that loss.

Capacity

Cumulative ability of a person to take action when necessary, based on a number of factors (cognitive faculties, physical characteristics, personality factors, financial and other resources, knowledge, experience, link to others and opportunity.

Vulnerability

Weakness in your safeguards to protect your assets.

Perception of the lack of capacity to defend against injury, harm or damage from a threat or a hazard.

Most Vulnerable

Those within a given population who are through no fault of their own and relative to the general population in an extraordinary state of reduced capacity to respond to or recover from emergency situations.

The VCA Process

Resource materials were accessed from the IFRC website and previous ZRCS VCA Reports. The process was also adapted to the prevailing situation in Binga where the VCA was going to be carried out in 2 wards, six villages. The following steps were followed:

1. Setting up a VCA team and VCA objectives.

VCA Team was set up comprising the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Research Assistant from ZRCS Head Office, Provincial Field Officer from ZRCS Mat North, ZRCS District Officer Binga and Government Officials from the Ministry of Health and Rural District Council. The VCA Team was guided by the ToR which had specific objectives.

2. Planning the VCA (Sensitizations, developing data collection tools, doing desk/literature review.

The DFO made sensitizations to the relevant stakeholders and invited volunteers and DMC members from the 6 villages to a conference venue. Literature review was done from secondary sources including the internet. Data collections templates were developed to collect information. Particular attention was paid to the data collection instruments so that they are flexible and they enable participants to provide information in a less guided fashion.

3. Participatory Data Collection with communities and stakeholders.

Various participatory data collection methods were used through simulations, group exercises, interviews and observations. (See table below)

4. Systematizing, analyzing and interpreting the data.

Information gathered was presented by group leaders from each village and discussed by the whole group.FGD and KII was systematically presented in tables. Related information on vulnerabilities, risks, hazards and capacity were interpreted and consolidated in the report.

5. Report compilation, returning information to the communities and stakeholders and deciding priorities and actions for transformation.

VCA findings were consolidated and the report will be shared in the second phase of the VCA where stakeholders and communities will comment and adopt the report then develop community action plans.

6. Programme Implementation: Risk reduction projects with the community. Turn vulnerabilities into capacities through practical actions.

After adoption and comments on the report, community action plans will be mainstreamed in the Programme Risk reduction activities with the communities.

Data Collection and Analysis/Tabulation Matrix

The table below summarizes a list of tools used and data tabulation matrix

ToolDescriptionType of information to be collectedMeans of Data CollectionTarget/Participating Groups

Review of secondary dataInformation and statistics about the area demography, geography, climate changeLiterature review, discussion with Key stakeholders.Literature from internet sources, books and provincial/district sources

MappingUsed to determine spatial distribution of certain aspects of environment. Hazard and risks maps will be drawn.Hazards, risks, traditional boundaries, agricultural areas, fishing areaRecording, organizing and information

Presentations.Communities at village level

Historical Profile/Disaster ProfileHighlight trends and key points in the history community. Profile disaster trendsTrends, impact, coping mechanisms,Focus group discussionCommunity leaders, older community members

Seasonal CalendarIllustrate important activities, problems or resource changes throughout a calendar year or a production cycle.Identify periods of stress, hazards, diseases, hunger, debt, vulnerability, livelihoods, coping strategiesFocus Group Discussion/During mappingCommunities at village level.

Direct ObservationSystemically observing objects, people, events, relationships and participation.

Type of infrastructure e.g. houses, buildings, utilities, sewerage, practices-school, churches, children appearances, daily routines, community interaction, skillsSystemically observing and taking notesVCA team

Transect WalkSystematic walk with key informants through the community to look at the layout of the community.Distances between key places, accessibility, land use zones.Observing, asking, listening and drawing a transect diagramVCA team, with key stakeholders.

Common disasters and vulnerabilities toolOpinion polls and group discussions on common epidemic outbreaks, hazards and vulnerabilitiesCommon epidemic outbreaks/hazards e.g. floods, cholera, DiscussionsCommunity and VCA team

Capacity Assessment ToolAsses the capacity of the communityResources, skills, coping strategiesDiscussionsCommunity and VCA team

Focus Group DiscussionsFocus group questionsVulnerabilities, capacityDiscussions

Key Informant InterviewsKey informant interview questionsCapacity , hazardsinterviews

Field Activities: Data Collection

Rapid Rural Appraisal techniques were adopted in the field for quick data collection. Participatory group exercises were done with 33 community volunteers and disaster management committees. Transect drives were carried out in the 2 wards including drives to water sources, Zambezi River and schools, shopping centers and clinics. Face to face interviews with key stakeholders were carried to sensitize then and get an overview of common epidemic outbreaks, hazards and capacities. Purposive sampling was used that involved villages and communities in the 2 targeted wards. Six interviews were done with stakeholders as tabulated. FGDs were carried with 3 groups per village in the 6 villages namely traditional leaders, men and women with group sizes of 8-15.

Number of participants who contributed to the VCA

ToolParticipantsNumber

Disaster profile, historical time line, vulnerabilities matrix, capacity assessment tool, mapping, seasonal calendarVolunteers and disaster management committees33

Transect walks and Direct observationVillages based volunteers6 villages, 2 wards

Focus Group Discussion3 groups per village (men, women and community leader)18 Focus groups

Key InformantsDA, Police, RDC, MOHCW, Education, Social Services6 Interviews

Limitations of the study A feedback work shop scheduled for the end of the exercise was planned but not done due to time constraints. Absence of some community leaders in an FGD in Zingozo because they were attending a funeral of a fellow villager who had died of a crocodile attack.CHAPTER THREERESULTS

Introduction

This chapter details finding of the VCA carried in Binga District in the two wards in which ZRCS is currently implementing a DRR programme. The results sum up the findings of capacities, hazards and risks inherent in the 2 wards which are described per village in the 6 available villages in the two wards.Siatungwana and Chumpamanda Villages

The 2 villages are organized into one by their proximity and community members from the two villages share most of the community facilities like dams and schools. It starts at a point marked with a bridge and a river which crosses the Gaza land. Narratives from

Physical hazards

Through direct observation, transact walks and hazard and risks maps developed by the community, the area has a narrow bridge and constantly at risk with seasonal water overflows. This presents a risk to the community and school going children who uses this bridge every day. The roads also compose of fragile soils which are vulnerable to soil erosion and siltation of rivers. A dam was also observed in the area which supplies irrigation water to a community garden and it was gathered that due to long distances to water sources, the dam is the major water source for livestock as well people for domestic use. In a Focus Group Discussion conducted with the community leaders (Headman), it was revealed that poorly constructed buildings such as the local school, Bunsiwe presents risk of collapse in the event of violent winds thus endangering the lives of the people. Droughts were also pointed out to be a major threat in the area resulting in increased food insecurity, malnourishment and the death of livestock within the community. Focus Group Discussions conducted with local men in the community revealed that boreholes are not protected and hence are a hazard to a community with limited health knowledge. The absence of water point committees and the fact that wells are unprotected and also humans share with animals is hazardous to human health and predisposed the local community to diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Absence of toilet facilities was also pointed out to be a major threat within the society.

Historical and Disaster Profile

Focus Group Discussions revealed that the area in the 1960s period did not have schools and tarred roads and these only came to be constructed in the 1980s.Key informant interviews with village heads and elderly men from the two villages revealed that the area in the past (Unspecified) there has been a leprosy outbreak, a condition that has since disappeared. More recently, Cholera outbreaks have been recorded in the area in 2008 which had resulted in loss of lives and potentially risking lives of men, women and children in the 2 villages. Through hazard and risk mapping with the local community, participants drawn from the community revealed that strong and violent winds have previously swept off the school roof top and other inadequately built structures.

Common Disaster Profile

The table summaries disaster ranking by the community:

Disaster Rank

Drought1

HIV/AIDS2

Malaria3

Problem Animal4

Information obtained from Siansundu clinic which serves the 2 villages reveals that the following are the most common diseases:

Disease Rank

Acute Respiratory Infection1

Malaria2

Conjunctivitis3

Diarrhea4

Dysentery5

The above illustrated data coincides well with the data obtained from Focus Group Discussions and the hazard and risk mapping exercise done with the local participants. One respondent from a women focus group discussion noted that, Malaria is a major threat in this community especially during the dry season in the summer when it is hot. Personal interviews with the Nurse in Charge at Siansundu Clinic also revealed that emergency cases were also prevalent especially with maternal patients and crocodile attack victims

Vulnerable groups

The most vulnerable groups were identified as everyone in the community in cases of droughts, fishermen, livestock and orphans.

CopingStrategiesFocus Group Discussion with women from Siansundu village revealed that for their sustenance, in the absence of any assistance from their male counterparts,women sustain their households through the selling of baskets to by passers along the Binga- Kamativimain road. This would thus enable them to pay school fees for their children. This correlated well with the physical observations done in the area and the information given by an informant. During the transect walks, a dam was observed with a subsistence gardening project which is a source of fresh vegetables for household consumption and quite central to their livelihoods. The gardens comprised village members largely women who had been receiving NGO support from CADEC and later by Save the Children. Another respondent from the same FDG also indicated that their other source of income is derived from the selling of vegetables. It was however observed that a limited number are able to realize extra vegetables for sale since water supply is a challenge.

Siamwinde 1 and 2 Villages

Physical Hazards

Physical observation as well as information obtained from focus group discussions held n Siamwinde revealed that the presence of a few boreholes is a major threat to human lives. One headman from Siamwinde 1 did not mince his words, We have a problem of limited boreholes in our community, Instead of having 50 people to draw water from one borehole, we now have up to 500 people utilizing one well. When these boreholes become mal functional, the community members are reluctant to repair these boreholes for free It is lack of adequate water supply that force some households especially those who live far from boreholes, to access water from open wells and dams thus exposing themselves to great risk of contracting water borne diseases. Female participants from Focus Group Discussion indicated that the limited number of toilets within the community of Siamwinde also poses a major health hazard to the local people. The narrow bridges within the community were also pointed out as major sites for Car accidents. One informant, a village head could not hide his disappointed about problem animals. He indicated that livestock serves as their safety net and bank yet wildlife are a constant threat to their crops and livestock which is very central to their livelihood.

Historical Disaster Profile

Through a village historical disaster profiling with community participants, a major drought was identified to have taken place in 2008 and 2012. Cases of strong and violent winds destroying building structures were also recorded in 2012. In 2012, incidences of problem animals mainly lions and hyenas intensified living people dead and depleting livestock herds for families living in Siamwinde.


Through risk and hazard mapping, the Siamwinde community ranked disasters affecting their community as follows:DisasterRanking

Droughts`1

Problem Animals2

HIV and AIDS3

Malaria4

Focus Group Discussions held later with the community leaders confirmed more similar disasters such as Droughts and other disasters such as attack of livestock by wild animals as well as Scabies. Focus Group Discussion held with the Community women pointed out Malaria, Scabies and Acute Respiratory Infection as the most common heath disaster common in their community. One respondent indicated that malaria is more severe during the dry season. Information from the community seasonal calendar reveals that malaria is more prevalent in January and February while in between July and September houses with fragile building structures are at risk from violent winds. It is also during the month of November that seasonal droughts due to erratic rainfall expose many households to food insecurity and probable malnourishment.

Vulnerable groups

These disasters are noted to affect mainly the old aged and children. Droughts however affect everyone while the youths are more at risk from HIV/AIDS.

Coping strategies

Communities in Siamwinde mentioned that disasters such drought, human animal conflicts and health outbreaks had greatly affected them. Negative effects experienced included depletion of household livestock herd, widows failing to pay school fees and loss of lives due to HIV/AIDS.

Within all the vulnerabilities cited, information gathered from FGD indicated that the Government BEAM programme as well NGO support has assisted them in a small way but it did not last and communities had to resort to their traditional livelihood strategies. One women respondent had this to say, "We survive by selling tomatoes at the shopping center but the business is quite small and sometimes we fail to raise school fees for our children "Another respondent from the same Focus Group Discussion also indicated that the women in Siamwende village also have gardens close to the water sources. The weaving andselling of Baskets is also another way through which the women raise income, although the business is restricted by a limited market. Men within the community also cited as engaging in fishing and selling of livestock, but the proceeds are seldom remitted back to the familyCommunity leaders who participated in Focus Group Discussions highlighted that in cases of disasters such as those caused by problem animals, we cannot render any service because we are inadequately trained. In dealing with the issue of inadequate toilets, the community had made it a binding norm that in visiting the bush to relieve one self, one had to carry with him a hoe.

Siamuloba Village Ward 10

Siamuloba village stretches for about 5 km from Siachilaba main road. It encompasses 12 main villages which include Siamuloba 1-7, nkankumwe 2, 3,4,5,6 and Ntemba 2 and 3.The village lies adjacent to the Zambezi and Pungwe river mouth.

Physical HazardsThe shortage of proper sanitation facilities were cited as posing physical hazard to the area as elaborated by the Community Leaders in Focus Group Discussion 11. Discussions from these meetings exposed the inadequacy of toilets with reports that only 3 toilets in the area were serving almost 250 households. Coupled with a large number of dysfunctional boreholes, Siamuloba village face a ticking environmental hazard. Furthermore, communities rely on open water bodies which present drowning risks thus posing a serious physical hazard to the villagers during the rainy season.Historical Disaster Profile

Responses from the risk and hazard mapping exercise done by 6 residence members randomly drawn from Siamuloba village indicated that in 2002 and 2008, a series of droughts were experienced in the village culminating in serious food shortages. In 2009, cases of attacks by crocodiles were reported in the Zambezi river, which is a major source of sustain ace and livelihood for the Siamuloba village. Fisherman from the village travelling with insecure homemade canoes fell prey to the crocodiles. The same risk and hazard mapping exercise revealed that in 2010, a Malaria outbreak was recorded with small children being mostly affected by the disaster. Currently a drought is being experienced within the community and this has culminated in serious food shortages in the community. Validating the previously mentioned point, physical observation in the Siamuloba village revealed vast dry and uncultivated land were observed with fragile and unfertile soils in the community

Common Disasters and Risks

The below outlined diagram reveals the ranking of Common disasters and hazards drawn from a risk and hazard mapping exercise done with the community members in Siamuloba:

Disaster Rank

Drought and Starvation1

Drowning 2

Malaria3

Inadequate Sanitation facilities4

Focus Group Discussions held within the Siamuloba community also illustrated the above mentioned pressing issues. One participant from Focus Group Discussion, consisting of Community Leaders had this to say concerning the disastrous sanitation conditions in Siamuloba, Another respondent from a men community Focus Group Discussion also elaborated on the cholera and Malaria hazards in the area, In this area, we face serious threats from water in the Zambezi which is contaminated with malaria and Cholera. Boreholes are also malfunctional at times and so we are left with no option but to draw it from uncovered openings .

Vulnerable Groups Respondents from Focus Group Discussion consisting of local key stakeholders from the community such as the Chairpersons of Peer Educators, Fishing Camps, Home Based Care Programs `further revealed that the most affected groups within the Siamuloba village include orphans, fisherman and people who live close to the river.

Coping Strategies

The majority of the twenty (20) women from Siamuloba village, who participated in a community women Focus Group Discussion highlighted that women devote their energies in weaving of baskets as an economic activity, although they face a challenge of limited markets. They cited the decline in tourism since 2000 as coinciding with a drastic decline in markets for the baskets. An NGO, the new basket workshop is trying to introduce new designs and creating new marketing opportunities for the women to market their products. The same market limitation applies to the gardening business which one respondent said, "We have so many gardens in our community but we realize few business opportunities. Very few people come to buy and as such we end up doing gardening for household consumption. In times of drought, we eat those vegetables only " Another group of respondents indicated that fishing is their livelihood strategy although they are constrained by lack of capital to buy initial stocks which costs up to USD$100. Chileya Ward 8

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards that were noted in community hazard mapping were shallow bridges and the Zambezi River. Shallow bridges presents flooding risks which interrupt community activities including school children who use the bridge to go to school. The Zambezi River reportedly breeds mosquitoes which cause malaria. The greatest risk however presented by the Zambezi is drowning of fishermen and boat accidents. A shopping centre close by is a recreation place where business takes place including sex transactions potentially an HIV/AIDS hotspot.Historical and Disaster Profile

The risk and Hazard mapping exercise done by 6 community members from Chileya village indicated that in 2008, an outbreak of Cholera and Malaria was recorded. A drought was also experienced during the same year. In the year 2012, strong winds destroyed homes while malaria cases were on the increase. Furthermore, community livestock also suffered attacks from hyenas from the surrounding forests and mountains. Incidences of drowning of Fisherman and drowning were cited as annual disasters.

Common Disaster Profile.

Participants from the risk and hazard mapping exercise were requested to rank the disasters prevalent within their community by ranking them according to the degree of severity and the below illustrated diagram summarizes their responses.

DisasterRanking

Drought1

Drowning2

Malaria3

HIV and AIDS4

Scabies5

In one Focus Group Discussion held with 10 community leaders and 7 Community men cited drowning as prevalent within the area. They also mentioned that Starvation is causing many people to risk their lives by fishing in the Zambezi River. Most of the fishermen travel in small boats with no life jackets. Just yesterday, one of our community member drowned in the Zambezi river .Another participant in the same focus group discussion also highlighted that the community does not have a proper rescue operation team and due to their fear of police intimidation, they had to delay in retrieving the corpse from the water until 4 -5 days later when the police rescue team arrived. A community member participating in Focus Group Discussion 15 underscored the severity of droughts in the area and indicated that this year; the Chileya community did not plant millet due to limited rainfall in the area. Water problems were also revealed within the discussions, with participants indicating that they have to walk for more than 10km for them to come to a borehole.Vulnerable Group A brainstorming exercise with women Focus Group Discussion drawn from Chileya indicated that the most vulnerable groups to these disasters in the community include children, middle and young adults.

CopingStrategiesThe main livelihood strategy revealed in FGD was beer brewing derived from the Nkula wild fruit. The activity is mostly practiced by women participants who intimated that proceeds from beer sales are used to pay school fees and to feed their children. Quite a large number of respondents particularly women are involved in basketry. An analysis of basket making in Binga shoes that the activity is a traditional and cultural practice which is and passed from one generation to another. Seasonal gardening along the Zambezi River is also a common activity for a community which suffers from perennial droughts.

Zingozo Village

Zingozo is in Simatelele ward and situated on the northern part of Simatelela village consists of mountains whilst the Zambezi River covers the southern side.

Physical Hazards

Through Physical observation and transect walks, it was observed that the narrow bridges and fragile roads posed major hazards. From Focus Group Discussion with community man, it was revealed that uncovered water sources where people draw water for consumption also poses a major health hazard. Informal discussions held with members of the community also revealed that the presence of the shopping complex and beer hall near Simatelela clinic presented a potential HIV/AIDS risk. Fishermen were reportedly at greater risk and were regarded as entrepreneurs and businesspeople who had disposable money for recreation. Some women intimated that men in the area were quite irresponsible and spend most of their income on beer thus putting a burden on women of looking after their children. The Zambezi also, though a source of livelihood presents another risk. Hippos and crocodiles attack people and livestock. Key informant interviews with the nurse in charge at Simatelela clinic, Mr Siyachimbo revealed that fishing camps such as Simatelela, which is 10km away from the clinic, is a major hazard, revealing the highest cases of fisherman on HIV treatment.


Six Community members from Zingozo Village, who participated in a risk and hazard mapping exercise, identified the 1992 droughts which occurred within the area which posed a major threat to the livelihoods of the people. The participants also indicated that in 1999, HIV and AIDS cases were reported within the Zingozo Community. The year 2000 was also said to be characterized with droughts, with limited rainfall being experienced within the area. The risk and hazard mapping exercise also revealed that in 2009, problem animals were a constant threat to the Zingozo village with crops and livestock being destroyed by wild animals. The year 2011 was said to have been characterized with problem animals, with 9 domestic animals being killed so far.Common Disaster ProfileA brainstorming exercise with participants from Focus Group Discussion 19 consisting of 12 Community leaders revealed the following findings:DisasterRanking

Problem Animals1

Veld Fires2

Cholera and Malaria3

Starvation4

Road Accidents5

Scabies6

One respondent could not hide his frustration about problem animals and failure of CAMPFIRE to address the issue Elephants eat our millet which adversely affects our harvests. Furthermore CAMPFIRE Officers have failed to address the issue and sarcastically say you people use witchcraft, why dont you use it on elephants. We quite disappointed with this and we intend to submit a petition to court. The discussions also revealed another problem of water shortages, with people in the Zingozo community left with no option but to draw water from uncovered sources, a practice with predisposes them to water borne diseases such as cholera and malaria. Informal discussions held with the nurse in charge at Simatelela clinic, Mr Siyachimbo noted that Malaria was common in areas such as the Bulawayo crock whilst Scabies cases were on the decline in the area.

Vulnerable Groups

The mostly affected groups were farmers, fishermen, orphans and young adults.

Coping StrategiesRespondents from Focus Group Discussion 6, consisting of 12 women indicated that for the sustenance of their families, women engage in weaving of Baskets. Due to the limited market for their products, the women in the village also engage in Barter trade, where they exchange their baskets for clothes or chickens which they later resell within their community. Another Respondent from the community highlighted that the male also do some fishing for sale at the fishing camps. One participant from community leader FGD indicated that as a Community, they would fund raise money to deal with the problems they face like their attempt to build a school although they faced constraints of limited resources. One participant from the same FGD also highlighted that as a community they had sought refuge in NGOs and Save the Children had offered assistance in the construction of a school although they have withdrawn now.

Siansise, Kasikili, Sianoti Village

Physical Hazards

Physical observation revealed that the highway road, fragile dusty roads and bridges were a major challenge facing the area


The risk and Hazard mapping exercise conducted by the community members of Siansinse village reveals that in 2008, hunger and crop failure were recorded in Siansise. This was largely due to the drought or absence of rain within the area. In 2012, droughts and problem animals were a major challenge, with lions killing cattle belonging to the community members whilst the prevailing droughts culminated in limited food supplies.

Common Disaster Ranking

A brainstorming exercise In Focus Group Discussion 16 at Chief Sachiloba homestead with the community leaders revealed the following information summarized in tabular form:DisasterRanking

Health related due to limited clinical supplies1

Drought2

Problem animals3

Cholera and Malaria4

One responded from Focus Group Discussion 4 also illustrated the severity of disasters caused by clinics which are too far away from where the people of Siansinse reside. Clinics are far away and people who could otherwise have survived die in the process of travelling to the clinic. We do not afford to travel by bus to the clinic. This second part of the remark coincides well with sentiments from woman from Siansinse village who participated in a focus group discussion who indicated that they were the main source of income earners and with the absence of input from their male counterparts, they manage to raise an average of $3 per day to support all the needs of the household. Another disaster which was omitted in the risk and hazard mapping exercise, but revealed in Focus Group Discussion with men drawn from the community are veld fires. One responded made this remark, Veld fires are a common problem in our area and consequently our cattle and goats have to move far away from the village in search of grazing lands .

Vulnerable Groups

From the focus group discussions it was established that orphans, the elderly, fishermen and cattle are the most vulnerable groups though the whole community is at the mercy of such natural calamities as droughts and problem animals rendering villagers vulnerable to their effects.CopingStrategies

Focus Group Discussion 12 held with women drawn from the Siasinse village, the respondents indicated that they manage to sustain their families through gardening and weaving of Baskets. The selling of fish at the shopping centre was also cited as another economic activity done by the women for sustaining their families. The hazard and risk mapping exercise done with the community members also revealed that community members rely on their agricultural skills which they got from Agritex training.

CHAPTER FOUR

COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The findings highlighted in the previous chapter reveal hazards and disasters which can be summed up as revealing the inadequacies of key sectors health, social services, water and sanitation, infrastructural development and Natural resource Management. This situation has left the communities of Simatelela and Siachilaba vulnerable to impending disasters. In the area of health, issues such as Malaria, Scabies and Cholera outbreaks are prevalent within the area. The persistent cycles of drought have also seriously infringed food production and security within Binga district. To add to the pile of hazards are pressing issues related to Water and Sanitation, which is lack of access to clean water and inadequate toilet facilities. In the area of natural resource management, problem animals such as elephants, lions and hyenas, Veld fires and water animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamus have also been a major threat to the livelihoods of the people of Binga District. Inadequately build infrastructure such as roads, bridges and sparsely spaced clinics and schools have left the Binga community vulnerable and at risk. Set against this background, the fundamental question would thus be, What is the way forward in enhancing the capacity of Binga District in terms of disaster preparedness? This report suggests the following suggestions in working towards the attainment of the above mentioned goal:

Short Term Recommendations

a) The Ministry of Health together with key stakeholders such as NGOs should ensure adequate provision of anti malarial drugs. Provision of mosquito nets coupled with health education should be prioritized.b) The NGO sector should focus on Community awareness in areas such as Water and Sanitation and HIV and AIDS and natural resource management.\c) There is need for a holistic disaster management plan, one that is shared by key stakeholders and a community based short and long term strategies.

d) There is need to establish focal points for condom distribution and information dissemination in each Ward.

e) They is need for training community members by the Government and the NGO Sector on local resource mobilization and community coping mechanisms.f) There is need to train female traders on how they can market the products adequately.

Long Term Recommendations

a. There is need for collaboration between government, NGOs and the private sector in ensuring the construction of Clinics and schools in every ward in Binga.

b. The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development should engage other relevant stakeholders in ensuring the construction of Sound roads and Bridges

c. NGO sector should ensure adequate provision of safe water in Binga through the construction of Boreholes at focal points in each ward as well as irrigation skims drawn from Zambezi water sources

d. There is need for government and other humanitarian players to complement efforts by the CAMPFIRE project in protecting communities from problem animals.

e. Awareness programmes on how community members can co exist with endangered species is also critical by the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources Management

f. There is need for community programmes that focus on resourcing or initiating community banks as safety nets that develop opportunities for revolving funds. These funds can then be used in the provision of secure Community Boats, life jackets and Adequate fishing rods for use in the Zambezi River.

Capacities in the District

In the implementation of the above mentioned recommendations, the local capacities listed below can be used in the attainment of the short and long term recommendations:

a. Manpower in the form of hard working women and youth.

b. Trained First Aiders in the Wards

c. High Number of Educated Men

d. Trained Farmers (Agritex Project) and Women Groups (ISALS PROECT)

e. Resources or draught power in form of Cattle and Goats.

f. High social capital

Conclusion

The Vulnerability Capacity Assessment programme has created awareness in the Binga district on the prevailing risks, hazards and capacities and thus provides a platform for informed planning, implementation and monitoring of priority projects identified by the communities themselves.

Annex 1 VCA Team

Decide Mabumbo Asst. PMER Officer - HQ (Team Leader)

Tarisai ManyatiNote- Taker- Red Cross Club.

Johnson SibandaDistrict Field Officer- Binga

M.L Ncube

Provincial Field Officer- Mat North

Government Officials

Annex 2 Key Informants

Nurse in Charge Chileya

DEO

Ministry of Social Services

Member in Charge Police

RDC

Annex 3 FGD (Composition)

18 Focus Group Discussion (one male, one female, one community leaders)

Annex 4: VCA Pictures

Pictures taken from mapping exercise and field work which involved discussion with communities.

Annex 5: ToR

Terms of Reference: Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES)

Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA), Binga District, Mat North

Introduction and Background

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is implementing a disaster risk reduction programme in Binga District. The project named Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES) is supported by the American Red Cross and it covers 2 wards of Siachilaba and Simatelela for an initial 2 year period. The overall goal of the project is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and socio-economic impacts caused by disasters by strengthening the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and building safer, more resilient communities.Expected outcomes of the projects are:

Enhanced capacity of Red Cross to deliver, coordinate, and advocate for disaster risk management. This can be achieved by training 30 volunteers and 10 staff members.

Communities are strong (knowledgeable, organized and prepared, connected, protected) and resilient to the impacts of potential disasters. This will be achieved through reaching out to 9 875 direct and 18 516 indirect beneficiaries and 60 stakeholders.

It is within the programme that ZRCS together with volunteers and stakeholders intend to undertake a Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA) in the 2 wards.

Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA)

VCA is a method of investigation into the risks that people face in their locality, their vulnerability to those risks and their capacity to cope with and recover from disasters. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (godfather of VCA) describes VCA as an integral part (but not the only part) of disaster preparedness that can contribute to the creation of community-based disaster preparedness programmes at the rural and urban grass-roots level. It is a tool which enables local priorities to be identified and leads to the design of actions that contribute to disaster reduction.

With VCA, local people and communities become the focus not only as recipients of funding, but ideally as active participants in the development initiative. When applied to disaster preparedness, such methods can encourage participation, so that people become more completely involved in the identification of risks and in the design of programmes and actions to prepare for disasters. (IFRC, 2006)

Objectives of the VCA.

To identify hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities with a view to design appropriate risk reduction measures and projects for the targeted wards.

To promote greater community awareness of hazards and vulnerabilities and knowledge of basic coping strategies.

To come up with a planning and diagnostic tool for all stakeholders involved in disaster management for the targeted wards in Binga.

The VCA Process

7. Setting up a VCA team and VCA objectives.

8. Planning the VCA (Sensitizations, developing data collection tools, doing desk/literature review.

9. Participatory Data Collection with communities and stakeholders.

10. Systematizing, analyzing and interpreting the data.

11. Report compilation, returning information to the communities and stakeholders and deciding priorities and actions for transformation.

12. Programme Implementation: Risk reduction projects with the community. Turn vulnerabilities into capacities through practical actions.

Methods of Information Gathering in the VCA

Literature Review from external sources.

Key information interviews

Focus Group discussions

Historical timeline

Mapping (risk, community, spatial, capacity)

Seasonal Calendar

Institutional social network analysis

Direct Observation

Transect walks

Problem tree

Target Group

Key stakeholders (PA, DA, Technical stakeholders- Agritex, Department of Social welfare, Chiefs, Council)

Community institutions- schools, health centres, churches, fishing businesses/camp units

Community members, groups, local leaders

Itinerary

DateActivityResponsible

10 June 2012Travel to BingaPMER HQ, Driver

11 June 2012Training of staff and volunteers, pilotingPMER HQ, DFO

12 June 2012Visiting key stakeholdersVCA Team

13 June 2012Data Collection- 2 villagesVCA Team



16 JuneConsolidation of findings. DebriefVCA Team

17 June 2012Travel back to HararePMER HQ

VCA team

PMER HQ- Team Leader

PPO Mat North

DFO-Binga

Research Assistant

Local Government Official

Annex 5 Data Collection Tools.

4

_1404294409.docVCA: Binga

Historical Profile Tool

Historical Profile highlights trends and key points in the history of the village that households considered as an impact on their livelihoods either negatively or positively.

Target Group: Older community members, Community leaders, teachers

Year

Event

Special Remarks

_1404294453.docSWOT Analysis Tool

Strengths (Capacity of the Community in terms of livelihoods, food security, health, protection of families, social protection

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats


Data Collection and Analysis/Tabulation Matrix

Tool

Description

Type of information to be collected

Means of Data Collection

Target/Participating Groups

Review of secondary data

Information and statistics about the area

demography, geography, climate change

Literature review, discussion with Key stakeholders.

Literature from internet sources, books and provincial/district sources

Mapping

Used to determine spatial distribution of certain aspects of environment. Hazard and risks maps will be drawn.

Hazards, risks, traditional boundaries, agricultural areas, fishing area

Recording, organizing and information

Presentions.

Communities at village level

Historical Profile/Disaster Profile

Highlight trends and key points in the history community. Profile disaster trends

Trends, impact, coping mechanisms,

Focus group discussion

Community leaders, older community members

Seasonal Calendar

Illustrate important activities, problems or resource changes throughout a calendar year or a production cycle.

Identify periods of stress, hazards, diseases, hunger, debt, vulnerability, livelihoods, coping strategies

Focus Group Discussion/During mapping

Communities at village level.

Direct Observation

Systemically observing objects, people, events, relationships and participation.

Type of infrastructure e.g. houses, buildings, utilities, sewerage, practices-school, churches, children appearances, daily routines, community interaction, skills

Systemically observing and taking notes

VCA team

Transect Walk

Systematic walk with key informants through the community to look at the layout of the community.

Distances between key places, accessibility, land use zones.

Observing, asking, listening and drawing a transect diagram

VCA team, with key stakeholders.

Common disasters and vulnerabilities tool

Opinion polls and group discussions on common epidemic outbreaks, hazards and vulnerabilities

Common epidemic outbreaks/hazards e.g. floods, cholera,

Discussions

Community and VCA team

Capacity Assessment Tool

Asses the capacity of the community

Resources, skills, coping strategies

Discussions

Community and VCA team

Focus Group Discussions

Focus group questions

Vulnerabilities, capacity

Discussions

Key Informant Interviews

Key informant interview questions

Capacity , hazards

interviews

_1404294533.docZIMBABWE RED CROSS SOCIETY

VULNERABILITY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

SIACHILABA AND SIMATELELE WARDS: BINGA DISTRICT MATABELELAND NORTH PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

CHAPTER TWO

RESEARCH METHODS

CHAPTER THREE

RESULTS

Introduction

This chapter details finding of the VCA carried in Binga District in the two wards ZRCS are currently implementing a DRR programme. The results sums up the findings of capacities, hazards and risks inherent in the 2 wards which are described per village in the 6 available villages in the two wards.

Siasindu Village

The village is almost 25km in radius and covers areas. It has ..Households. It starts at a point marked with a bridge with a river which crosses the Gaza land. Narratives from Focus Group Discussion 1 revealed that the area in the 1960s period did not have schools and tarred roads and these only came to be constructed in the 1980s.

Physical hazards

Through direct observation, transact walks and hazard and risks maps developed by the community, the area has a narrow bridge and constantly at risk with seasonal water overflows. This presents a risk to the community and school going children who uses this bridge everyday. The roads also compose of fragile soils which are vulnerable to soil erosion and siltation of rivers. A dam was also observed in the area which supplies irrigation water to a community garden and it was reported in FGD that due to long distances to water sources, livestock and people sometimes engage use water from this seasonal dam. In Focus Group Discussion 1 conducted with the community leaders (Headman), it was revealed that poorly constructed buildings such as the local school was a challenge in the area as they collapsed in the event of strong winds thus endangering the lives of the people. Droughts were also pointed out to be a major threat in the area resulting in reduced food production and the death of livestock within the community. Focus Group Discussion 2 conducted with local men in the community revealed that the uncovered borehole cites within the area were hazardous to human health and predisposed the local community to diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Absence of toilet facilities was also pointed out to be a major threat within the society.


Focus Group Discussions held with the Community leaders revealed that the area in the past (Unspecified) there has been a leprosy disaster which has since subsided. More recently, Cholera outbreaks have been recorded in the area in 2008 which endangered the lives of the community members. Through Hazard and risk mapping with the local community, participants drawn from the community revealed that strong winds have also swept off the school roof top and other inadequately built structure.


Achieves from the local clinic in Siasindu village summarized the health disasters prevalent in Siasindu as follows:

Disease

Rank

Acute Respiratory Infection

1

Malaria

2

Conjunctivitis

3

Diarrhea

4

Dysentry

5

The above illustrated data coincides well with the data obtained from Focus Group Discussions and the hazard and risk mapping exercise done with the local participants. One Respondent from Focus Group Discussion 1 noted that, Malaria is a major threat in this community especially during the dry season when it is hot. Informal discussions with the nurse in Charge revealed that emergency cases were also prevalent especially with maternal patients, although this can not be classified strictly as a health disaster

Siyamwende1 Village

Physical Hazards

Physical observation as well as Focus Group Discussions held n Siyamwende revealed that the presence of a few boreholes is a major threat to human lives. A quotation made by one of the Community Headman in Focus Group Discussion 1 illustrates this point, We have a problem of limited boreholes in our community, Instead of having 50 people to draw water from one borehole, we now have up to 500 people utilizing one well. When these boreholes become mal functional, the community members are reluctant to repair these boreholes for free .Female participants from Focus Group Discussion 2 indicated that the limited of few toilets within the community of Siyamwende also posed a major health hazard to the local people. The narrow bridges within the community were also pointed out as major sites for Car accidents. One responded from Focus Group Discussion 1 also highlighted the fact that wild animals within the area also pose a major hazard to their crops and livestock, items which are critical to the Siamwinde peoples livelihood that they frequently called their livestock, their bank.


Through hazard and risk Mapping done at a Workshop with the community participants, a major drought was identified to have taken place in 2008.Cases of strong wings destroying building structures were also recorded. In 2012, cases of problem animals and attack of livestock by wild animals was identified to have taken place.


Disaster

Ranking

Droughts

`1

HIV and AIFS

2

Malaria

3

Through risk and hazard mapping, the Siyamwende community ranked the disasters which frequent them the most as indicated in the table above. These disasters are noted to affect mainly the old aged and children. Focus Group Discussion 1 held later with the community leaders confirmed more similar disasters such as Droughts and other disasters such as attack of livestock by wild animals as well as Scabies. Focus Group 3 held with the Community women pointed out Malaria, Scabies and Acute Respiratory Infection as the most common heath disaster common in their community, with a responded from Focus Group Discussion2 indicating that malaria is more severe during the dry season. This disaster usually occurs at a time when the community of Siyamwende is in the process of renovating heir homes and clearing the field for ploughing (Seasonal Calendar).

SIAMULOBA Village WARD 10

Siamuloba village stretches for about 5 km from Siachilaba main road. It encompasses 12 main villages which include Siamuloba 1-7, nkankumwe 2, 3,4,5,6 and Ntemba 2 and 3.The village lies adjacent to the Zambezi and Pungwe river mouth.


Responses from the risk and hazard mapping exercise done by 6 residence members randomly drawn from Siamuloba village indicated that in 2002 and 2008, a series of droughts were experienced in the village culminating in serious food shortages. In 2009, cases of attacks by crocodiles were reported in the Zambezi river, which is a major source of sustain ace and livelihood for the Siamuloba village. Fisherman from the village travelling with unsecure canoes fell prey to the crocodiles. The same risk and hazard mapping exercise revealed that in 2010, a Malaria outbreak was recorded with small children being mostly affected by the disaster. Currently a drought is being experienced within the community and this has culminated in serious food shortages in the community. Validating the previously mentioned point, physical observation in the Siamuloba village revealed vast dry and uncultivated land were observed with fragile and unfertile soils in the community

Common Disasters and Risks

The below outlined diagram reveals the ranking of Common disasters and hazards drawn from a risk and hazard mapping exercise done with the community members in Siamuloba:

Disaster

Rank

Drought and Starvation

1

Drowning

2

Malaria

3

Inadequate Toilets

4

Focus Group Discussions held within the Siamuloba community also illustrated the above mentioned pressing issues. One participant from Focus Group Discussion 11, consisting of Community Leaders had this to say concerning the disastrous sanitation conditions in Siamuloba, We have inadequate toilets within our community. Out of about 250 households in our community, we have 3 toilets only and so this condition poses a major health hazard . Another respondent from Focus Group Discussion 11 also elaborated on the cholera and Malaria hazards in the area, In this area, we face serious threats from water in the Zambezi which is contaminated with malaria and Cholera. Boreholes are also malfunctional at times and so we are left with no option but to draw it from uncovered openings .

Respondents from Focus Group 12 consisting of local key stakeholders from the community such as the Chairpersons of Peer Educators, Fishing Camps, Home Based Care Programs `further revealed that the most affected groups within the Siamuloba village include orphans, fisherman and people who live close to the river.

Chileya Ward 8


The risk and Hazard mapping exercise done by 6 community members from Chileya village indicated that in 2008, an outbreak of Cholera and Malaria was recorded. A drought was also experienced during the same year. In the year 2012, strong winds and Malaria cases were also experienced in Chileya village. More still, the community livestock also suffered attacks from hyenas from the surrounding forests and mountains. Incidences of drowning of Fisherman were also recorded within the community. Malaria was also experienced in the year 2012.

Common Disaster Profile.

Participants from the risk and hazard mapping exercise were requested to rank the disasters prevalent within their community by ranking them according to the degree of severity and the below illustrated diagram summarizes their responses.

Disaster

Ranking

Drought

1

Drowning

2

Malaria

3

Hiv and AIDS

4

Scabies

5

Focus Group Discussions were also held in the Chileya village. One responded from Focus Group Discussion 15, consisting of 10 community leaders and 7 Community men illustrated on the issues of drowning prevalent within the area, Starvation is causing many people to risk their lives by fishing in the Zambezi River. Most of the fishermen travel in small boats with no life jackets. Just yesterday, one of our community member drowned in the Zambezi river .Another participant in the same focus group discussion also highlighted that the community does not have a proper rescue operation team and due to their fear of police intimidation, they had to delay in retrieving the corpse from the water until 4 -5 days later when the police rescue team arrived.

A community member participating in Focus Group Discussion 15 underscored the severity of droughts in the area and indicated that this year; the Chileya community did not plant millet due to limited rainfall in the area. Water problems were also revealed within the discussions, with participants indicating that they have to walk for more than 10km for them to come to a borehole. A brainstorming exercise with Focus Group Discussion 16, consisting of 13 women drawn from Chileya village also indicated consequently the most vulnerable groups to these disasters in the community include children, middle and young adults.

Zingozo Village

Simatelela consists of 3 main villages which are Zingozo, Chileya and Siyamulowo village. It is approximately 7km in radius and has 1200 households. The northern part of Simatelela village consists of mountains whilst the Zambezi River covers the southern side.


Six Community members from Zingozo Village, who participated in a risk and hazard mapping exercise, identified the 1992 droughts which occurred within the area which posed a major threat to the livelihoods of the people. The participants also indicated that in 1999, HIV and AIDS cases were reported within the Zingozo Community. The year 2000 was also said to be characterized with droughts, with limited rainfall being experienced within the area. The risk and hazard mapping exercise also revealed that in 2009, problem animals were a constant threat to the Zingozo village with crops and livestock being destroyed by wild animals. The year 2011 was said to have been characterized with problem animals, with 9 domestic animals being killed so far.

Physical Hazards

Through Physical observation and transect walks, it was observed that the narrow bridges and fragile roads posed major hazards. Participants from Focus Group Discussion 9, consisting of 12 community leaders and 7 men from the community also revealed that uncovered water sources were people draw water for consumption also poses a major health hazard. Informal discussions held with members of the community also revealed that the presence of the shopping complex and beer hall near Simatelela clinic was a major hazard. Fisherman were pointed out as leading promiscuous live at the shopping center after having obtained same proceeds from their fishing business, thus predisposing themselves to HIV and AIDS. At the same camp, peoples lives are also in danger from crocodiles and hippos which are killing people around that site (FGD 9).Informal discussions held with the nurse in charge at Simatelela clinic, MR Siyachimbo also revealed that fishing camps such as Simatelela, which is 10km away from the clinic is a major hazard, revealing the highest cases of fisherman on HIV treatment.


A brainstorming exercise with participants from Focus Group Discussion 19 consisting of 12 Community leaders revealed the following findings:

Disaster

Ranking

Problem Animals

1

Veld Fires

2

Cholera and Malaria

3

Starvation

4

Road Accidents

5

Scabies

6

Respondents from Focus Group Discussion 9 highlighted the problem of elephants within their community. Qualitatively captured, community leader had this to say, Elephants are problems in our village.They eat up our millet and this adversely affects our food production . Another respondent from the same focus group discussion also revealed the failure of other humanitarian players in assisting them with the problem of problem animals: Camp fire is not assisting us with the issue of problem animals and we intend to submit a petition to court. We have reported many incidences of wild animals destroying our crops and they have told us to take care of ourselves since we are good at using witchcraft .The discussions also revealed another problem of water shortages, with people in the Zingozo community left with no option but to draw water from uncovered sources, a practice with predisposes them to water borne diseases such as cholera and malaria. Informal discussions held with the nurse in charge at Simatelela clinic in Zingozo clinic, Mr Siyachimbo noted that Malaria was common in areas such as the Bulawayo crock whilst Scabies cases were on the decline in the area.

Siansise Village

Physical Hazards

Physical observation revealed that fridge roads and bridges were a major challenge facing the area


The risk and Hazard mapping exercise conducted by the community members of Siansise village reveals that in 2008, hunger and crop failure were recorded in Siansise. This was largely due to the drought or absence of rain within the area. In 2012, droughts and problem animals were a major challenge o the Siansise community, with lions killing cattle belonging to the community members whilst the prevailing droughts culminated in limited food supplies.

Common Disaster Ranking

A brainstorming exercise In Focus Group Discussion 16 at Chief Sachiloba homestead with the community leaders revealed the following information summarized in tabular form:

Disaster

Ranking

Deaths due to limited clinical supplies

1

Drought

2

Problem animals

3

Cholera and Malaria

4

One responded from Focus Group Discussion 4 also illustrated the severity of disasters caused by clinics which are too far away from were the people of Siansise reside : Clinics are far away and people who could otherwise have survived die in the process of travelling to the clinicWe do not afford to travel by bus to the clinic . This second part of the remark coincides well with sentiments from woman from Siansise village who participated in focus group discussion 6 who indicated that they were the main source of income earners and with the absence of input from their male counterparts, they manage to raise an average of $3 per day to support all the needs of the household. Another disaster which was omitted in the risk and hazard mapping exercise, but revealed in Focus Group Discussion 5, consisting of 9 men drawn from the community are Veld fires. One responded made this remark, Veldfires are a common problem in our area and consequently our cattle and goats have to move far away from the village in search of grazing lands .

CHAPTER FOUR

COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The findings highlighted in the previous chapter reveal hazards and disasters which can be summed up as revealing the inadequacies of key sectors health, social services, water and sanitation, infrastructural development and Natural resource Management. This situation has left the communities of Simatelela and Siachilaba vulnerable to impending disasters. In the area of health, issues such as Malaria, Scabies and Cholera outbreaks are prevalent within the area. The persistent cycles of drought have also seriously infringed food production and security within Binga district. To add to the pile of hazards are pressing issues related to Water and Sanitation, which is lack of access to clean water and inadequate toilet facilities. In the area of natural resource management, problem animals such as elephants, lions and hyenas, Veld fires and water animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamus have also been a major threat to the livelihoods of the people of Binga District. Inadequately build infrastructure such as roads, bridges and sparsely spaced clinics and schools have left the Binga community vulnerable and at risk. Set against this background, the fundamental question would thus be, What is the way forward in enhancing the capacity of Binga District in terms of disaster preparedness? This report suggests the following suggestions in working towards the attainment of the above mentioned goal:

Short Term Recommendations

a) The Ministry of Health together with key stakeholders such as NGOs should ensure adequate provision of anti malarial drugs.

b) The NGO sector should focus on Community awareness in areas such as Water and Sanitation and HIV and AIDS and natural resource management.

c) There is need to establish focal points for condom distribution and information dissemination in each Ward.

d) They is need for training community members by the Government and the NGO Sector on local resource mobilization and storage for food security

e) There is need for Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) to train female traders on how they can market the products adequately.

Long Term Recommendations

a. There is need for collaboration between government, NGOs and the private sector in ensuring the construction of Clinics and schools in every ward in Binga.

b. The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development should engage other relevant stakeholders in ensuring the construction of Sound roads and Bridges

c. NGO sector should ensure adequate provision of safe water in Binga through the construction of Boreholes at focal points in each ward as well as irrigation skims drawn from Zambezi water sources

d. There is need for government and other humanitarian players to complement efforts by the CAMPFIRE project in protecting communities from problem animals.

e. Awareness programmes on how community members can co exist with endangered species is also critical by the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources Management

f. There is need for Water equipment controlled by CAMPFIRE Project such as provision of secure Community Boats, life jackets and Adequate fishing rods for us in the Zambezi River.

Capacities in the District

In the implementation of the above mentioned recommendations, the local capacities listed below can be used in the attainment of the short and long term recommendations:

a. Manpower in the form of hard working women and youth.

b. Trained First Aiders in the Wards

c. High Number of Educated Men

d. Trained Farmers (Agritex Project) and Women Groups (ISALS PROECT)

e. Resources or draught power in form of Cattle and Goats.

Conclusion

The Vulnerability Capacity Assessment programme has created awareness in the Binga district on the prevailing risks, hazards and capacities and thus provides a platform for informed planning, implementation and monitoring of priority projects identified by the communities themselves.

Annex 1 VCA Team

Decide

Johnson Sibanda

District Field Officer

M.L Ncube

Provincial field officer

Tarisai Manyati

Research Assistant

Annex 2 Key Informants

Annex 3 FGD (Composition)

Annex 4 ToR

Annex 5 Data Collection Tools.

_1404294478.doc`Terms of Reference:

Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES)

Vulnerability Caopacity Asessment (VCA), Binga District, Mat North

Into and Bakground

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is implementing a disaster risk reduction programme in Binga District.The project named Building Resilient African Communities (BRACES) is supported by the ARC and it covers 2 warWards of Siachilaba and Simatelela and has a 2 year initial life span.

The overall goal of the project is To reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and socio-economic impacts caused by disasters by strengthening the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and building safer, more resilient communities.

Expected outcomes of the projects are :

Enhanced capacity of Red Cross to deliver, coordinate, and advocate for disaster risk management. This can be achieved by training 30 volunteers and 10n staff members.

Communities are strong (knowledgeable, organized and prepared, connected, protected) and resilient to the impacts of potential disasters.This will be achieved through reaching out to9 875 direct and 18 516 indirect beneficiaries 60 stakeholders

1.

9 875 direct and 18 516 indirect beneficiaries

30 volunteers and 10 staff

60 stakeholders

VCA is a method of investigation into the risks that people face in their locality, their vulnerability to those risks and their capacity to cope with and recover from disasters. The IFRC describes VCA as an intergral part (but not the only part) of disaster preparedness that can contribute to the creation of community-based disaster preparedness programmes at the rural and urban grass-roots level.It is a tool which enables local priorities to be identified and leads to the design of actions that contribute to disaster reduction.

With VCA, local people and communities become the focus not only as receipients of funding, but ideally as active participants in the development initiative.When applied to disaster preparedness, syuch methods can encourage participation, so that people become more completely involved in the identification of risks and in the design of programmes and actions to prepare for disasters.


Inventory of NGOs involved in Service Delivery/Aid in Binga.

Name of Organisation

Type of Project

Area of Coverage

Number of Beneficiaries

_1404294349.docCommon Disasters and Vulnerabilities Matrix

Disaster

Ranking

Most Vulnerable

Ranking

Fuelling Factors


Historical Disaster Profile Tool

Historical Profile highlights trends and key points in the history of the village that households considered as an impact on their livelihoods either negatively or positively.

Target Group: Older community members, Community leaders, teachers

Year

Disaster

Impact

Coping Mechanism

Capacity Assessment Tool

Vulnerability

Capacity

Resources

final evaluation binga vca report

Documents