Vulnerability perception, quality of life, and indigenous knowledge: A qualitative study of the population of Ngamiland West District, Botswana. (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dintwa, Kakanyo Fani; Letamo, Gobopamang; Navaneetham, Kannan
• Is Part Of: International journal of disaster risk reduction. Volume 70(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: Vulnerability -- Resilience -- Quality of life -- Natural hazards -- Climate change; Emergency management -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; Disaster relief -- Periodicals; Hazard mitigation -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.102788
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-4209

Abstract

Abstract: This study is aimed at investigating natural hazards vulnerability perceptions, as well as to explore Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) important in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Ngamiland West District. The study also investigated the impact of the 2009/10 floods on the livelihoods of the people of Etsha-13 Village. The "Quality of Life Approach" was operationalized, with specific focus on vulnerability and resilience to flood impacts. The study design chose purposive sampling method to select the 21 In-Depth Interviews and 3 Focus Group Discussions. The qualitative data analysis software was used for analysis. The results show that the majority of the respondents perceived local communities highly vulnerable to floods and recurring droughts. The processes post 2009/10 Etsha 13 Village flood-hazards coupled with the people's state of high vulnerability and less resilient impacted on their quality of life particularly the being, belonging and becoming components. The provision of relief to the flood victims was perceived as biased towards those known to officers providing relief. The effectiveness of the relief operations were considered inadequate. The extent of damage caused by floods is influenced by the socioeconomic factors and psycho-social challenges the affected people had prior to the natural hazard event. The majority of the victims reported that they did not recover from the flood impacts. The IKS are still important in the sustenance of the livelihoods of the local communities. To reduce risks and future catastrophes there is need for a thorough implementation of the risk reduction strategy.