Building-Back-Better in Post-Disaster Recovery: Lessons Learnt from Cyclone Idai-Induced Floods in Zimbabwe

Ernest Dube,Gayan Wedawatta,Kanchana Ginige

doi:10.1007/s13753-021-00373-3

Abstract

This study evaluated the build-back-better considerations in post-disaster recovery, following the devastation of Chipinge and Chimanimani communities by Cyclone Idai-induced floods in 2019. Conducted in 2020, the study assessed the impact of Cyclone Idai-induced floods on communities in Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts of Zimbabwe; evaluated the build-back-better considerations; and analyzed the lessons learned. Based on a qualitative approach and case study design, the study depended on focus group discussions, interviews, and researcher observations to gather data from 85 participants. The findings indicate that Cyclone Idai-induced floods seriously impacted human lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods of communities that had been living with flood risk and vulnerability. Build-back-better considerations were absent in much of the post-disaster recovery effort to address the cyclone disaster impact. There are important early lessons for both practitioners and community members to learn from the Cyclone Idai event. These lessons still can inform policy and disaster risk reduction practice in the medium and long term. Build-back-better should be a mandatory objective in the recovery from any disaster impact. Continuous training is also recommended to improve the disaster knowledge of stakeholders and increase local ability to cope with future disaster events.

Highlights

Introduction and BackgroundBuilding-back-better in the aftermath of major disasters, including cyclones, has often proved to be a major challenge to many governments and stakeholders
We contend that enforcing build-back-better measures in post-disaster recovery processes after the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe can result in the building of safer and resilient communities
The following thematic categorization was used to present and discuss the results: Cyclone Idai-induced flood impact on communities in Chipinge and Chimanimani; evaluating the build-backbetter considerations in Cyclone Idai post-disaster recovery; and, build-back-better lessons learnt from the Cyclone Idai disaster

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and BackgroundBuilding-back-better in the aftermath of major disasters, including cyclones, has often proved to be a major challenge to many governments and stakeholders. Post-disaster recovery, including reconstruction and rehabilitation, is an opportunity to restore communities (Khasalamwa 2009; Ozcevik et al 2009), and to create safer, sustainable, and more resilient communities underpinned by the concept of ‘‘build-back-better’’ (Clinton 2006). To build-back-better, governments, stakeholders, and disaster-impacted communities need to create longlasting, resilient, and sustainable communities. Building-back-safer and stronger seem appropriate explanations of building-backbetter, since they suggest improvement of the high risk and vulnerability conditions often existing in a pre-disaster state. We contend that enforcing build-back-better measures in post-disaster recovery processes after the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe can result in the building of safer and resilient communities

Methods

Results

Conclusion