An Integrated Community Disaster and Climate Resilience Model for rural communities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study explores the importance of integrating disaster and climate resilience into Zimbabwe's rural communities, resulting ultimately in a model that reflects both their priorities and needs. The Integrated Community Disaster and Climate Resilience Model (ICDCRM) was developed by engaging with community members, traditional leaders, and disaster risk reduction and climate change practitioners using the constructivist grounded theory approach. A total of 33 participants shared views in focus-group discussions and semi-structured interviews—concurrent data collection and analysis were performed with the aid of Atlas.ti (2018) software. This study affirms that disaster and climate resilience strategies can be integrated into at-risk communities to enhance their responses to climate change and disasters. These phenomena pose interlinked risks; hence, strategies to prepare for and respond to them should be coherent and synergistic. The ICDCRM reveals that integrated disaster and climate resilience can create sustainable pathways to effective coordination of strategies and efficient management of risks.