Local Coping Strategies Research Articles

On mapping urban community resilience: Land use vulnerability, coping and adaptive strategies in Ghana

Cities across the globe are prioritizing resilience in the wake of increasing climate change-related disasters. About 44% of these disasters are floods and their manifestation in cities is more pronounced, threatening urban social, ecological, and economic systems. This study draws on community resilience and participatory GIS, to examine land use vulnerability to flooding and local coping and adaptive strategies to achieve resilience. Using Ghana as a case study, the results show that participatory mapping offers community resilience benefits by providing context to community resilience challenges and potentials, enabling a deeper understanding of socio-environmental coupling that contributes to flood vulnerability and builds on community adaptive strategies through harnessing local community knowledge. We identified that topography, poor drainage and road network, rainfall variability, residents’ land use practices, and land use planning conundrum drive disparities in land use vulnerability to flooding. Participants underscored the necessity of critical urban infrastructure in facilitating community adaptability to floods. The findings indicate that socio-spatial inequities threaten urban community resilience, especially in increasingly cosmopolitan urban contexts, by putting the marginalized urban population in a more vulnerable position. We recommend the prioritization of recognitional equity in community resilience planning efforts to allow for the targeting of resilient interventions that reflect and respect social differentiation in the urban environment so that outcomes will not exacerbate or generate new urban socio-spatial inequalities.

Some Local Survival Strategies to Cope with Flood: Examples from Bhakat Chapori, Majuli, Assam

The understanding of local coping and survival strategies are very important to know about how a community deals with hazardous condition. Each community builds own local survival strategies to overcome the vulnerability of familiar disastrous events. Histories have shown that ‘Majuli the largest riverine Island of the world has been experiencing the effects of flood since past. The mainland of Majuli Island is surrounded by several small islets or chapories and the studied area “Bhakat Chapori” is one of them. Local people of this chapori have been living with flood since long and now flood became a part of their life and culture. The present study includes how local or indigenous knowledge system of the villages of Bhakat chapori can help them to manage mild effects of flood as per their own survival strategies. The paper is an outcome of ongoing doctoral research work, purely based on ethnographic fieldwork. Here an attempt has made to document and understand the local survival or coping strategies of a small island during flood events. Some strategies are so effective that those can be applied other parts of the country or world for the better survival of the people.

COVID-19 and local community resilience in the Westfjords of Iceland

ABSTRACT Remote Arctic communities have often been depicted as being particularly vulnerable to the challenges of disasters, with their location and lack of infrastructure exacerbating risk. This study explores the characteristics of local resilience in the Arctic using the case study of the communities of the north-western Westfjords. A total of 42 semi-structured interviews were carried out with various community members, seeking to uncover the features of inbuilt resilience that contribute to successes and vulnerabilities. These were transcribed, coded, and categorised in relation to an integrated framework for assessing community resilience in disaster management, which groups topics via the themes of environmental, social, governance, economic, and infrastructure. All themes played a role in the success of local coping strategies, with easy access to the natural environment central to physical and mental well-being. Despite this, vulnerabilities of the community were evident, including insufficient local healthcare workers during a severe COVID-19 outbreak in a care home, the absence of a local quarantine hotel, and insufficient information in foreign languages for non-natives of Iceland. The general trend of following rules and expert advice was demonstrative of strong social capital, with locals trusting those in charge, nationally and locally, to manage the pandemic.

Compounding impacts of COVID-19, cyclone and price crash on vanilla farmers' food security and natural resource use.

The intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic with other crises can amplify vulnerabilities and push communities further into poverty. In low-income countries, the dual impacts of COVID-19 and extreme weather events, along with multidimensional poverty and structural vulnerabilities in agriculture can decimate farmer livelihoods. This study aims to understand the effects of individual and compounding crises (COVID-19, cyclones, and vanilla price collapse) on smallholder vanilla farmers and local coping strategies in Madagascar, one of the world's largest vanilla producers and poorest countries. We used semi-structured and scenario-based interviews across two case study villages with contrasting enforcement of forest regulations. We found that the impact of the pandemic, combined with the cyclone event, disrupted livelihoods, resulting in income losses and food security challenges that exacerbated farmer vulnerabilities. Sixty eight percent of households reported crop losses due to strong winds and heavy rainfall brought by cyclone Enawo in 2017. The COVID-19 outbreak struck the region just as the residents were recovering from the effects of the cyclone. COVID-19-related travel restrictions in the aftermath of the cyclone took a substantial economic toll, with 54.1% of respondents experiencing a decline in earnings, and 17% facing a total loss of income due to the imposed lockdown. The decline in vanilla prices at the onset of 2020 had a far-reaching additional impact, affecting not only farmers but also residents who rely on other sources of income. Local communities reported using the forest resources more frequently as a safety net during crises in the village with more lenient regulations. This study underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness and compounding impacts of cascading crises on food security and natural resource use. We highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to increasing farmer resilience, particularly for those reliant on global market crops such as vanilla.

Strategies for addressing exposure to extreme heat in a slum community

Climate change is resulting in higher temperatures and the problem of heat stress, which significantly affects urban population. Poor households living within low-income urban communities are disproportionately affected by these problems. This paper reports an investigation of coping strategies among residents in a low-income community within Lagos, Nigeria. The study utilised a mixed-method approach – community survey (sample size = 300 residents) and semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively selected residents. The survey data were analysed statistically, whereas content analysis was carried out on the interview transcripts. The findings indicate a range of personal/behavioural preventive and reactive strategies and building-related measures were utilised to address the challenge of increasing heat within the community. Notably, greening-related practices (for planting trees, cultivating gardens) did not rank high among the residents. They are willing to pay a modest amount towards greening and environmental features but not as much as housing modifications to enhance thermal comfort in the face of extreme heat. The study contributes to evidence of local coping strategies for heat exposure among disadvantaged urban residents, providing a pedestal on which heat adaptation initiatives can be developed.

A qualitative case study of community experiences with Tungiasis in high prevalence villages of Bungoma County, Kenya: "The whole body aches and the jiggers are torturing me!"

Tungiasis is a painful skin infection caused by a flea called Tunga Penetrans/jiggers, which enters the epidermis of humans and animals. If untreated it may result in bacterial infection, sepsis, necrosis, and disability. In Kenya, it is estimated that 4% of the population suffer from jigger infestation. The aim of this study was to contribute with knowledge about the experiences of those affected, perceived causes and local coping strategies, to improve the control and elimination of this neglected condition. A qualitative case study research design was applied involving fieldwork in Bungoma County, a high-prevalence rural area in Western Kenya. Multiple data collection methods were combined: participant observation, home visits, semi- structured in-depth interviews, and group discussions. In total, 48 informants participated, including infected children and adults, teachers and pupils, public health officers, community health workers and NGO volunteers. Those infected suffered with multiple penetrating wounds on hands and feet that cause disability, resulting in an incapacity to work and school drop-out. People described feeling stigmatized, and at school pupils preferred not to play with infected classmates. People perceived that the sand flea infestation was caused by poverty and that those affected were not even able to cover their basic needs. They were often living in sandy huts that they shared with their animals, without access to soap and clean water. Moreover, those infected were often viewed as ignorant by the rest of the community. Informants perceived recurrence after treatment as inevitable, resulting in creation of hopelessness. Those infected felt that they were left alone with an irremediable plague. There was confusion about effective approaches regarding prevention and treatment at all levels. Tungiasis is a debilitating and neglected ailment, inflicting severe suffering and increasing the circle of poverty. To address fatalist attitudes among those affected, national guidelines need to be implemented, and coordination of public health measures regarding prevention and treatment need to be strengthened. Further research is recommended to enable the control and elimination of this neglected tropical disease.

A pragmatic Analysis of adaptation strategies of apple farmers of Himachal Pradesh: A survey

The present study was conducted with the objective of assessing the adaptation strategies of farmers toward climate change in the apple growing district of Himachal Pradesh. A sample of twenty farmers each from four districts (Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba & Shimla) were selected because these areas have significant contribution with respect to area and production of apple in the state. Data was collected through personal interview and focused group discussion. Suitable mitigation and adaptation strategies were developed based upon the vulnerability analysis, farmer’s perceptions and available options in the region to minimize the crop vulnerability to climate change. During the study farmers told about some local coping and adaptation strategies adopted by them in response to observed risks and hazards related to climate and non- climatic factors. Therefore this study aimed at understanding the impact of Climate change and variability and the resulting socio- economic responses which take into account farmer’s awareness of weather fluctuations.

Ethics of humanitarian action: on aid-recipients’ vulnerability and humanitarian agencies’ distinct obligation

ABSTRACT Humanitarian assistance in conflicts sometimes undermines local coping strategies, reinforces wartime economies, and strengthens the existing power structures. This article argues that some victims of conflicts are made extremely vulnerable and uniquely dependent on humanitarian agencies. In this case, humanitarian agencies have a distinct obligation to assist them. This article considers one novel account that justifies the continued provision of aid to victims of conflicts and rejects the widespread view that aid should be withdrawn to avoid its negative impact. This article presents the “Distinct Dependence Argument” to address the aid dependency predicament in conflicts. It explores the degree of vulnerability and dependence of victims of conflicts and evaluates humanitarian agencies’ causal responsibility in causing such vulnerability and dependency.

Determinants of Rural Household Food Insecurity and Local Coping Strategies: The Case of Hoko District in Sidama Region, Ethiopia

There are myriad of factors contributing for household food insecurity in rural households in Ethiopia Several efforts have been put in place to alleviate food insecurity globally, nationally and even locally. Despite these efforts, the situation continues to prevail and sometimes even increase in the contemporary human society. It is therefore imperative that food insecurity gets addressed appropriately. Therefore, this study sought to investigate household food insecurity and coping strategies rural households in the study area. A mixed method study design was used to attain the objectives of the study. A total of 382 sample households (308 male and 74 female) selected from 5 kebeles of the district were interviewed using structured and semi structured interview schedule. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussion and key informant interview. Data analysis was done with the help of STATA 13. A binary logistic regression model was also employed to identify factors affecting farmer’s adoption of common bean technologies in the area. The result of a descriptive statistics revealed that more than 62% of the study participant were food insecure and the remaining 37.3 were on food secure category. The result of a binary logistic regression model showed that the covariates sex of household head, age of household head, landholding size, livestock holding and off farm income size have a statistically significant positive relationship with the food security status of a household in the study area. The overall findings of the study revealed that a monotonous dietary pattern is prevalent and manifested among majority of the study participants. Therefore, all the necessary awareness creation and training on preparing different types of well-diversified recipes by using locally available farm produce such as Enset should be done by concerned bodies. Keywords: Coping strategies, food insecurity, rural households DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-3-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

Belarus between West and East: experience of social integration via inclusive resilience

The article explores aspects of resilience developed in Belarusian society and dwells on those elements of resilience as viewed by the general public in 2019. Based on the results of focus groups conducted in Belarus, the paper uncovers perceptions of identity and community of relations, explores the Belarusian vision of a good life, and substantiates the importance of value orientations as an element of social integration. The article expands the understanding of resilience, introducing the notion of inclusive resilience, thus highlighting the importance of local coping strategies while addressing global challenges.

What makes communities resilient in times of complexity and change?

This introduction to the Special Issue problematises the necessity to rethink governance through the lens of resilience and suggests a novel conceptualisation of resilience. Building the argument on complexity-thinking, this issue contends that in the context of change and complex life, challenges are most efficiently dealt with, at the source, ‘locally’, to make ‘the global’ more sustainable. Accordingly, the concept of resilience as self-governance is advanced in the introduction as an overriding framework to explore its constitutive elements—identity, ‘good life’, local coping strategies and support infrastructures—which, when mobilised, can turn community into ‘peoplehood’ in the face of adversity. This conceptualisation, we argue, explains what makes communities adapt and transform, and how they should be governed today. Central Eurasia, spanning from Belarus in the west, to Azerbaijan in the south and Tajikistan in the east, provides fertile grounds for exploring how resilience works in practice in times of complex change. By immersing into centuries-long traditions and philosophy, local experiences of survival, and visions for change, this introduction—along with the Special Issue—shows that governability at any level requires a substantive ‘local’ input to make ‘the global’ more enduring and resilient in a complex adaptive world.

Locating potential sources of capacity and vulnerability in geographically remote areas: Reflections based on three case studies

The relationship between geographical and social forms of remoteness and the concepts of vulnerability and capacity remains unclear. Recognising that capacities and vulnerabilities tend to co-exist in a population, the article assumes that the dynamics between these concepts are situational. In this article we draw on three cases to analyse the issue. An Arctic case study provides insight on remoteness in terms of latitude, followed by an Andean case study reflecting on the role of altitude, and lastly an Island community case study provides a perspective on external isolation (recognising that island communities are also typically connected). From these cases we glean a number of preliminary insights for further investigation. One is that remote communities tend to avoid dependence on external actors when possible. Second, power dynamics between remote communities and centralised actors can make disaster management difficult if local capacities are overrun but trust is not present. Third, remoteness mainly becomes a direct source of vulnerability if remoteness translates into neglect, rendering places ‘peripheral’. Generalisable insights suggest that relationships take time to build and cannot be easily established after the fact. The cases hence suggest that remote areas typically have a strained relationship with centralised authorities which fosters local coping strategies but also a fear of external dependence, which may ultimately prove problematic in times of adversity.

Adaptation to climate change: ethnic groups in Southwest China

ABSTRACT Based on interviews with 1216 randomly selected households in Yunnan, Southwest China, we assessed local people's perceptions and coping strategies on climate change, and determined its influencing factors. Results indicated that 72% of the respondents perceived climate change-associated impacts, while 82% and 85% perceived the changes in temperature and precipitation, respectively. Most respondents perceived climate warming and decreases in precipitation. Drought and erratic rainfall are the most serious impacts. Approximately 40% of respondents who perceived climate change have chosen to do nothing. Others have reacted by migrating for work, introducing new crop types, giving up planting certain crops, and investing in irrigation infrastructure. The perception and response strategies of local residents to climate change were mainly influenced by the factors related to geographical characteristics and residents’ livelihoods. There are significant differences in perception of climate change among Tibetan, Yi and Naxi, while no significant differences in response strategies have been found among ethnic minorities. An integrated programme combining indigenous knowledge with scientific technology and government policies is proposed to enhance the adaptive capacity to climate change of ethnic populations in mountain areas. The policy implications call for understanding of cultural difference that affect people's perception and adaptation to climate change.

English

Hunger and undernourishment are the main challenges of today’s world. The objective of this study is to assess severity of household food insecurity and local coping strategies in the study area. Three-stage sampling technique was used to select sampled household in Analemmo woreda Hadiya Zone. A total of 200 households were selected by using systematic random sampling with proportional to population size. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Both descriptive and econometric models were used to analyze the collected data. Household calorie acquisition was employed to categorize into severely food secure and severely food in secure. For econometric analysis ordered probit model were used to identify determinates of severity of household food insecurity in the study area. The survey results show that severity food insecurity 36%, 18%, 13% and 33% food secure, mild, moderately and severely food insecure respectively. Thus, based on the results of ordered probit model agro-ecology of land, age and education level of household head, number of oxen, drought-tolerant seeds, soil and water conservation, credit amount, productive safety net program participation, access to climatic information, access to extension service and off-farm activities and non- farm activity determine severity of household food insecurity in study area. Different common coping strategies was used to cope food .It was recommended that government should provide productive saftent program participation, capacity building on age and educational level household head,  providing climatic information for farmers, providing drought-tolerant seed, provision of veterinary service for oxen health,  providing  training on soil and water conservation. Key words: Analemmo, coping strategies, food insecurity, ordered probit model.

A cross-cultural interpersonal model of adolescent depression: A qualitative study in rural Nepal.

Most cross-cultural qualitative research on depression has been descriptive, documenting symptoms and explanatory models. There is a lack of qualitative research testing theoretical models of depression. The interpersonal model conceptualises grief, interpersonal disputes, role transitions and social isolation as the context in which depression develops and is the basis of interpersonal therapy (IPT), which is increasingly used in cross-cultural settings to treat depression. We aimed to qualitatively evaluate to what extent the interpersonal model can explain adolescent depression in Nepal. Data were collected between December 2018 and April 2019 and comprised transcripts from 126 participants: 25 semi-structured interviews with depressed adolescents aged 13–18; four focus group discussions with adolescents (N = 38), four with parents/caregivers (N = 39), and two with teachers (N = 17); and seven semi-structured interviews with health and non-governmental organisation workers. We coded data using an analytical framework comprising deductive codes representing key concepts from the interpersonal model of depression and IPT, including principles, techniques and strategies. Participants mainly related depression to interpersonal problem areas of grief, dispute, role transition and social isolation. Interpersonal disputes were common, and for many adolescents this involved parental physical and emotional abuse. Although role transitions were common few adolescents grieved loss of the prior role. Distress related to social isolation was evident despite close physical proximity and extensive social interaction with family and community members. Adolescents described coping strategies that were similar to strategies central to IPT, e.g. identifying helpful and unhelpful relationships and generating options and ways of managing problems. In conclusion, interpersonal problems are relevant to this population and conceptualisations align with core principles of the interpersonal model of depression. The findings highlight the importance of addressing abuse and maltreatment in depression aetiology. They also inform future cultural adaptations of IPT in Nepal and beyond, including the opportunity to integrate local coping strategies.

Factors determining the food insecurity status of rural household of rural household Manna Woreda of Jimma zone, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Manna woreda which is found in Jimma zone at a distance of 368 km south west of Addis Ababa and 24 km west of Jimma town. The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of household food insecurity in rural households. Even though majority of the sample households were found to be food secured, the number of food insecure households was not small. To know the food security status of the households, the data collected from sampled respondents regarding food preparation for seven day recall and daily consumption record were converted to kilocalorie using the Food Composition table manual. After that the major demographic, socioeconomic and institutional variables were assessed to look into their relative importance in determining the state of food security at household level. Accordingly Large family size and Asset possession, sex of the household head , number of oxen owned, Access to improved seed and chemical fertilizer are found to be the determinants of food insecurity in the area, Existence of major animals diseases and pest that affect crop production were found to significantly determine individuals food insecurity status. In addition, Some of the coping strategies that are used by food insecure household were assessed. Their local coping strategies at initial and severe stage includes: sale of livestock and productive assets as well as marketing of wood/charcoal which can in turn aggravate the problem of food insecurity.

Tailoring conservation farming to climate change in the smallholder farming sector: Case of lowveld areas in Zimbabwe

This study on tailoring conservation farming to climate change attempted to design and proffer ways that enhance the application of climate information in managing climate-related production risks among smallholder farmers. The study characterized climate hazards related to crop and livestock production in marginal areas of Zimbabwe based on field observations. The study was carried out using a participatory and interactive survey approach. The climatic related risks impinging on livestock and cereal production in communal areas were outlined. A tailored seasonal climate forecast system, based on farmers’ contextual knowledge and conventional approaches, for smallholder farmers aimed at providing information relevant for the management of climate-related production risks was developed. Thus, local knowledge which made farming possible in the past, through pre-season and intra-season farm management strategies under harsh climatic conditions needs to be appreciated and fused into new climate systems. The study recommends that Agricultural Extension Workers should communicate agro-meteorological information that is usable by conservation farmers to manage their food production from an informed position. Local Agricultural Extension Workers should identify and provide key local coping strategies where the tailored forecast could be useful to the farmers since they are strategically positioned in relation to the farmers’ environment.

Linking coping strategies to locally-perceived aetiologies of mental distress in northern Rwanda

IntroductionHow and why people in a particular setting turn to a specific coping strategy for their distress is pivotal for strengthening mental healthcare and this needs to be understood from...

Navigating between Tea and Rubber in Xishuangbanna, China: When New Crops Fail and Old Ones Work

Following the massive expansion of rubber plantations in China, considerable research has been conducted on the impact of these landscape changes. The general consensus is that there have been negative impacts on the environment and positive impacts on local economies. However, since rubber prices dropped after 2011, the economic benefit to the local people is challenged and the impact on the local people and communities remains unclear. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, this longitudinal study investigates how the drop in rubber prices has affected a local community and the local people in Manlin, Xishuangbanna, China. It investigates local coping strategies and the importance of alternative income sources and shows how differentiated access to alternative lands creates increased economic inequality within the village when prices fluctuate. Three general coping strategies were identified amongst local rubber farmers: doing business as usual, changing rubber management practices, and stopping- or decreasing tapping frequency. Differences in coping strategies are linked to factors including access to alternative income sources and rubber perceptions. Moreover, households with access to tea land were found to have experienced negligible impacts of decreasing rubber prices as income from tea has increased more than income from rubber has decreased, leading to increasing intra-village economic inequality. We conclude that while this is a clear case of how income diversification is important for reducing livelihood vulnerability, it also shows that the large focus on rubber farming has created benefits in terms of improved infrastructure and connectivity that has helped expand the market for tea as well.

The impact of extreme weather events on community risk planning and management: the case of San Juan, Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria

Abstract Top-down technical or engineered solutions to deal with flood control such as channelization are increasingly unaffordable. We explored how community leaders’ frame the concept of risk, particularly due to flooding, and documented bottom-up rather than top-down solutions within the context of Hurricane Maria and the current financial crisis. This research aimed to interview environmental conservation organizational leaders to assess the broader question of what makes San Juan livable, and the role that flooding risk management plays in defining livability. Their perception of bottom-up approaches for flood control, including the role of green infrastructure, is of particular interest given the infeasibility of current engineered measures and their history of short term local coping strategies. Our research team frames the research using structural versus non-structural solutions to explore to what extent community leaders draw upon green visions of the city or emphasize transitioning towards strategies more closely aligned with ecological processes and functions. The research results help to inform current efforts of local community engagement about alternative solutions to channelization and other urban flood management measures.