SOCIAL VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS: A CASE STUDY OF CHIKUSE VILLAGES T/A MAKHWIRA IN CHIKWAWA DISTRICT, SOUTHEN

This paper analyses the impact of floods on social vulnerability and coping capacity of people in T/A Makhwira in Chikwawa district, Southern Malawi. It seeks to find the linkage between floods, social vulnerability and coping capacity at all disaster risk management stages of the cycle. In order to meet the objectives, observations (physical structures) were made on the recovery status and a survey was conducted in order to assess the impacts (positive/negative) of floods on social vulnerability and enhancing community resilience. In addition to that interviews were conducted to find out the coping capacities which existed in the area and their progress including extra measures they adopt knowing that the area is prone to flooding. This study showed the linkage (direct or indirect) between floods and social vulnerability. It also showed the knowledge people have on their level of vulnerability and their coping capacities. In addition to that it showed the existing gaps and suggestions on how people can improve their coping capacity to floods in the area.
This paper profiles the leading drivers of social vulnerability to floods. The results show that vulnerability to flood in T/A Makhuwira in Chikwawa district is determined by the dwelling type, employment, education and amount of rainfall in a season. The study recommends that public awareness campaigns, early warning systems and improved disaster management strategies must take into consideration differentiated levels of vulnerability and community coping mechanisms and preferences. Chikuse Wilson and Chikuse Gutusu are the main areas prone to flood, social, risk, highlighting the need for a cohesive management approach at all levels to recognize local capacities and increase communication, awareness, and preparedness to mitigate the undesirable effects of such events.

In order to meet the objectives, observations (physical structures) were made on the recovery status and a survey was conducted in order to assess the impacts (positive/negative) of floods on social vulnerability and enhancing community resilience. In addition to that interviews were conducted to find out the coping capacities which existed in the area and their progress including extra measures they adopt knowing that the area is prone to flooding. The study recommends that public awareness campaigns, early warning systems and improved disaster management strategies must take into consideration differentiated levels of vulnerability and community coping mechanisms and preferences. Chikuse Wilson and Chikuse Gutusu are the main areas prone to flood, social, risk, highlighting the need for a cohesive management approach at all levels to recognize local capacities and increase communication, awareness, and preparedness to mitigate the undesirable effects of such events.

The area of traditional authority Makhuwira is part of Lower Shire Valley that lies at the southern tip of Malawi in Chikwawa district and is part of the Shire Basin, which extends into Mozambique. Annual rainfall in the basin is highly spatially variable, reaching about 2000mm in the eastern part due to orographic influences. This often results in high flows of up to 5400m3 s-1 at the Sinoya station on the Ruo River, causing devastating floods particularly in areas near its confluence with the main Shire River (Shela et al., 2008).
Poverty rates in Chikhawa district is one of the highest in the country, with over 80% living on less than USD0.4/capita/day (National Statistical Office, 2012). Livelihoods are derived from subsistence farming, livestock rearing and casual labour, all of which are threatened by a multiplicity of stressors including floods, droughts and HIV/AIDS, among others (Casale et al., 2008). As a compromise, the Area Development Committee (ADC) level was selected as the scale for the study. The ADC is headed by a Chief, the Traditional Authority (TA). In general, developmental work in Malawi through NGOs and others is also much tied to administrative boundaries of T/As (Malcomb et al., 2014).

Traditional authority: TA Makhwira

District: Chikwawa

Coordinates: -16.2776, 35.0011