Post-famine recovery in highland Bwisha, Zaire: 1984 in its context

Abstract

AbstractThe 1984 drought affected vast areas of East, Southern and Central Africa, including Zaire's Kivu Province. Within North Kivu, areas of the collectivité Bwisha, of the zone of Rutshuru, were known to have been particularly hard hit. Within this collectivite, two administrative units (groupements) were singled out for famine relief: Jomba and Gisigari. Although few people died of the direct effects of the drought there was widespread impoverishment and hunger. This analysis of the drought of 1984 focuses on the groupement of Jomba.The aim is to reconstruct what happened before, during and after the famine. To do this, Part One outlines the farming systems of highland Bwisha from an historical perspective. Part Two discusses the stages of the drought, the social groups worst affected and the coping mechanisms used by groups and individuals. The latter discussion includes aspects of external relief. Part Three discusses post-famine changes in agriculture and trade relations, with a comment on how the people of Bwisha will fare when faced with another major drought.Since the end of the prolonged drought and famine of 1984 cropping systems have continued to change. Current intensification of highland agriculture is associated with an emphasis on aseasonality in production. This new phase, accelerated and conditioned by the famine, will alter future famine coping responses. Despite the appearance of productive agriculture and flourishing trade, food security in the area and the ability to cope with future climatic disruption are being eroded fast.