Flood Risk Perceptions And Coping Strategies Of Residents In The Kabbe Constituency Of The Zambezi Region (Namibia)

ABSTRACT

This empirical study was conducted in the Kabbe Constituency of the Zambezi Region which is inundated by recurrent floods of varying magnitudes each year. The flood risk perceptions and coping strategies used by the indigenous residents have not been given much academic attention. Although the flood mitigation approaches applied in the Kabbe Constituency seemingly ameliorate the disastrous impacts, they have proved inadequate. This study used 150 unstructured interviews and field studies to ethnographically explore flood risk perceptions and coping strategies of the residents in the Kabbe Constituency. Desk-top research analysed to what extent the Namibian National Disaster Risk Management System had incorporated indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction policies in relation to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. The results of the empirical research revealed that 80% of the residents have advanced levels of flood risk perceptions and 83% showed high sense of belonging and attachment to the floodplain. Significantly, men and women weigh flood risks differently. Men weigh the risks according to the benefits they derive from the floods, while women weigh the risks according to effects on property, children and themselves. To cope with floods, the residents rely on indigenous flood knowledge passed on from previous experiences. During floods, division of labour occurs between men, women and children. Men are usually found on lower terraces fishing while women and children are usually on higher terraces.