Climatic Hazards and Societal Vulnerability, Resilience and Adaptation in the Flood Zones of Nsanje District, Malawi

Abstract

This study has assessed societal vulnerability, resilience and adaptation variables to floods in the disaster predisposed Nsanje district, Malawi. The district stands amongst the most affected region by frequent flooding events. This research has deployed quantitative research approach by collecting primary data through self-administered structured questionnaires at the household level. To study the said variables, IPCC’s Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) was deployed for all sub-components of LVI: adaptive capacity, exposure and susceptibility. Also, to determine the influencing factors of livelihood vulnerability, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model for regression, where LVI for each household was computed. The other factors hypothesized as influencers of Livelihood Vulnerability were used as explanatory parameters, besides deployment of Stata (SE 14.0) for data analysis. Results declared T/A Ngabu as the most vulnerable area (LVI-IPCC value of 0.027267625), as compared to T/A Tengani (LVI-IPCC value of -0.044597798) in Nsanje district. The regression model estimation output revealed; flood experience, unavailability of warning alert, household proximity to the flooding river, injuries and death, beliefs and altitude, and non-availability of safe living facilities as being the determinants to influence societal exposure to floods in the studied area. The adaptive capacity components were found as being influenced by socio-demographic traits; age, sex, education level, disability, access to credit facilities, government assistance, income diversification, income level, social networking. Societal sensitivity component was established in a significant relationship with; access to health facilities and ability to save seeds, whereas saving food and seeds, irrigation, bank credit, borrowing from family/friends, loan sharks and government assistance were identified as resilience strategies. Lastly, construction of small local dikes and drainage system, elevating the house wall, planting trees in catchment areas and temporary family relocations were remained as the adaptation mechanisms in the area. The study calls for planned relocation, government’s intervention and provision of (non-/tangible) assistance to avoid further societal prey to climatic hazards, exposure and vulnerability in the most affected country side.