INVESTIGATING SELF RECOVERY STRATEGIES USED AFTER DISASTERS: THE CASE OF TA KYUNGU, KARONGA DISTRICT.

This dissertation examines the self-recovery strategies employed by communities in TA Kyungu, Karonga District, following disasters. The research study aimed to achieve the following objectives: Identifying the self –recovery strategies employed by these communities, assessing the effectiveness of these strategies, identifying the key factors facilitating or hindering self-recovery efforts, investigating which strategies are good or bad. The study has used the following methodology qualitative and quantitative methodologies including interviews surveys document reviews. A sample of 40 participants was used to understand strategies used. The data have been analysed using SPSS and excel spread sheet and presented in graphs and tables using themes and coding. Additionally, the research discovered critical factors such as diversified farming, irrigation farming, resource sharing good leadership have influenced the success of self-recovery efforts. Finally, this dissertation sheds light to understand the community based adaptation and provides insight into the strength and weakness of different adaptations leading to future disaster management policies and practices in the district.

The research study aimed to achieve the following objectives: Identifying the self –recovery strategies employed by these communities, assessing the effectiveness of these strategies, identifying the key factors facilitating or hindering self-recovery efforts, investigating which strategies are good or bad. The data have been analysed using SPSS and excel spread sheet and presented in graphs and tables using themes and coding. Additionally, the research discovered critical factors such as diversified farming, irrigation farming, resource sharing good leadership have influenced the success of self-recovery efforts. Finally, this dissertation sheds light to understand the community based adaptation and provides insight into the strength and weakness of different adaptations leading to future disaster management policies and practices in the district.

The study has been conducted in Karonga District, situated in the Northern region of Malawi. Specifically, focus will be placed on the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu, which is prone to various hazards, including flooding. This area presents a suitable context for examining self-recovery strategies due to its vulnerability to recurrent disasters. The area is also near North Rukuru river which pose risk of flooding during heavy and prolonged rainfall..

Traditional authority: TA Kyungu

District: Karonga

Coordinates: -10.0255, 33.7783