The ManicaPost
EVENTS unfolding in most parts of the country, among them notable rainfall variability and extreme events like cyclones and earth tremors clearly demonstrate that Zimbabwe is now experiencing the effects of climate change.
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are likely to intensify the existing natural hazard burdens for at-risk populations especially in areas like Chimanimani, Chipinge, Buhera and Mutare urban where lives are being lost, while infrastructure is being destroyed.
Projections already show that extreme weather events, notably floods, droughts and tropical storms are also expected to increase in frequency and intensity across the country and this calls for all stakeholders involvement in mitigating these effects.
Communities in Chimanimani and Chipinge always have butterflies in their tummies the moment clouds begin gathering on the horizon, as no one will be certain of what is in store for them and as a result, there is a growing need for accurate and useful climate data to inform adaptation strategies that can anticipate future climate.
During his initial visit after Cyclone Idai had left a trail of destruction in March 2019, President Mnangagwa said Government was seeking a clear explanation for the huge boulders that destroyed infrastructure and human life.
The President said some people experienced tremors before the cyclone. Some of the boulders that were washed away by the rains seem to have come from under the water.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo also chipped in and said it was important to study the nature of the cyclone.
“We are also beginning to study the nature of that cyclone and see if there are other related effects that may not necessarily be the cyclone itself. We need to look at that area to get an understanding of what transpired.
“You cannot explain the stones, the boulders that have come in the rivers. They do not seem to have come from the mountains, but they are the ones that destroyed the villages,” Minister Moyo was quoted saying.
Although no empirical evidence has been brought forward to explain the causes of the cyclones that have continued affecting the country, there is need for a revision of disaster preparedness budgets as the natural disasters are increasing with each passing year .
Awareness campaigns and relocation of people from high risk areas should be a top priority to minimise human loss and infrastructural damage.
We want to applaud the people of Chimanimani for finally waking up to smell the coffee by agreeing to be relocated to Bumba where Government is constructing houses for Cyclone Idai victims.
Digging in is not a solution, as the vagaries of weather will continue haunting all those settled in high risk areas. No one needs to live a nomadic life as this comes with its own expenses and usually take a toll on individuals especially women and children.
Relocation of people should not be viewed as dumping them or depriving them of their ancestral land, but as a social security measure. Provision of basics at the new resettlement areas should also be a top priority to both Government and development partners.
The country’s leadership should be applauded for showing great commitment to addressing climate change issues by being among the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change popularly known as the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international accord that was adopted by nearly every nation in 2015 aimed to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to limit the global temperature increase in this Century to 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing means to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees.
The country should also get a pat on the back for making significant efforts in mobilising domestic and other financing for its climate response strategy in climate resilient agriculture, disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, recovery and climate resilient infrastructure and overall resilience building across all sectors.
Every Zimbabwean should know that climate change is an indispensable agenda for the country especially given the increasing daily realities of recurring droughts, and devastating cyclones over the recent years.
Climate change is not a conceptual idea that may or may not impact livelihoods in Zimbabwe, it is the stark reality for many Zimbabweans who have to adapt to the vagaries that a changing climate brings.
The quest for more financial resources, skills and technologies required for dealing with the losses and damage and instituting long-term adaptation measure in ever increasing and we should all be equal to the task.
