Climate change impact in Zimbabwe and human strategies
Zimbabwe experiences droughts, floods, cyclone and heat wave as an intense result of climate change due to intensity of droughts and altering rainfall patterns, leading to more unpredictable floods and extreme weather events.
The regions most affected by floods are the Eastern Highlands (Chimanimani and Chipinge) and the semi‑arid southern provinces (parts of Masvingo) which suffer severe droughts
Rural agricultural communities and informal urban settlements are hit hardest because they rely heavily on rain‑fed farming and have limited infrastructure to withstand floods or water scarcity. Vulnerability is amplified by poverty and limited access to resources.
Local coping methods include traditional early‑warning systems (e.g., community alerts), water‑conservation practices like damming and rainwater harvesting, and post‑disaster mutual aid networks that redistribute food and labor.
The Zimbabwean government and NGOs such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, and local disaster‑relief organizations provide emergency relief, funding for infrastructure, and climate‑resilience programs. External stakeholders (international donors, UN agencies) supply financial aid, technical expertise, and capacity‑building support to enhance disaster management and adaptation strategies.