A Dissertation Submitted to the Institute of Development Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Award of Master of Science Degree in Environmental Management (Msc. EM) of Mzumbe University.
This study examined the community response and flood community recovery in Tanzania using a case of Kilosa district. Specifically, the study intended to identify the nature and content of community response, the community contribution, constraints of community response and alternative strategies employed by the flood victims in recovery process.
The study adopted a case study design, in which a sample of 170 respondents was drawn from among the flood victim populations to fill in the questionnaires, respond to interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The results obtained through Questionnaires were analysed by using simple quantitative technique like percentage, graphs, frequencies and charts while those acquired through FGD, household/leader as key informant interview, photographs and observation were analysed by using qualitative technique.
The study revealed that, the community contributions to flood victims were focused on relief services and not the long term aids (rehabilitation materials) for total recovery. This was evidenced by various setbacks which limited the affected communities to fast regain their former socio-economic development; these include absence of defined land for production and settlement, little access to safety water and sanitation and lack of demands. The study noticed despite of socio-economic persistence to flood victims, most of them employed alternative strategies (out of external support) to cope with hardship such as to rent land, informal jobs, offering their daily labourer, tailoring and other business. The study recommendations include; decentralise the disaster fund, shift from disaster management to risk management approach, use of insurance/credit scheme to the victims and involvement of environmental experts in land use planning.