Enhancing household food security through flood disaster risk reduction in little Ruaha River Basin, Iringa district, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study presents strategies adopted by households in the Little Ruaha River Basin in Iringa district to reduce flood disaster risk thereby enhancing household food security. A mixed research design was employed. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, in-depth interviews, direct field observation and Focus Group Discussions; secondary data were collected through documentary review. The study found that the Little Ruaha river floodplain is very fertile and conducive for crop and livestock rearing. However, the area is frequently affected by flood disasters, thus, making livelihoods at risk. It was also noted that floods in the area affected food production and intensified the households’ food insecurity. It shows that to enhance food security in the household, people moved to safe places during floods, planted trees, dredged the river, practised social cohesion, built flood-resistant houses and used early warning systems. It was also revealed that most flood disaster risk reduction strategies were not effective in enhancing household food security. The study, thus, recommends that the government and other stakehodgders need to organize communities to actively participate in flood disaster risk reduction to reduce their vulnerability to floods and enhance household food security.