Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Resilience in Natural Disasters

Abstract #38
Title: Coping Strategies for Landslide and Flood Disasters: A Qualitative Study of Mt. Elgon Region, Uganda
Presenter: Christine Muhumuza (MakSPH RAN, Uganda)
Co-Authors: Roy William Mayega, Bazeyo William, Jimmy Osuret 
Introduction: The occurrence of landslides and floods in East Africa has increased over the past decades with enormous Public Health implications and massive alterations in the lives of those affected. In Uganda, the Elgon region is reported to have the highest occurrence of landslides and floods making this area vulnerable
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study in three districts of the Mt. Elgon region in eastern Uganda. Six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and eight Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted. All discussions were audio taped, and transcribed verbatim and explored both coping strategies and underlying causes of vulnerability
Findings: The positive coping strategies used to deal with landslides and floods included adoption of good farming methods, support from government and other partners, livelihood diversification and using indigenous knowledge in weather forecasting and preparedness. Underlying causes of vulnerability were; poverty, population pressure and, cultural beliefs affecting people’s ability to cope

Abstract #202
Title: Social and natural environments – influences on disaster recovery and resilience
Presenter: Lisa Gibbs (University of Melbourne, Australia)
Co-Authors: Colin Gallagher, Karen Block, Greg Ireton, Louise Harms, Colin MacDougall
Introduction:The Beyond Bushfires: Community Resilience and Recovery study examined the impacts of the Black Saturday and related bushfires of February 2009 in Victoria, Australia on community members’ physical and mental health and wellbeing. The research also aimed to build understanding of the interplay between individual, social and community-level recovery. 
Methods: The 6 year mixed method study involving over 1,000 participants across Victoria was conducted by the University of Melbourne in partnership with community members and a range of community, academic, government, emergency, and health agencies. The results showed individual and community capacity to recover from a disaster experience and subsequent disruptions, and to adapt to changed lives and environments.  There was progressive recovery at community level over time but there was also evidence of delayed impacts on individual mental health and extended impacts at 5 years post-bushfires. 
Findings: Resilience was supported by social networks and involvement in community groups although closer examination revealed complexity in those connections and their relationship with resilience. By focusing on social connections we were almost at risk of missing the strong influence of attachment to natural environment on resilience and wellbeing over time. 

Abstract #94
Title: Interrogating Human-centred approaches to resilience research: lessons from Zimbabwe’s Mopane Worm for Improved Income Generation (MW4IIG) Innovation
Presenter: Prosper B. Matondi (Ruzivo Trust, Zimbabwe)
Co-Author:  Shiela Chikulo 
Introduction: Research in communities facing natural stresses and disasters requires innovative approaches that prioritize people and considers cultural sensitivities while tapping into inherent capacity to facilitate resilience building. A six-month study of natural resource-based livelihoods in Beitbridge, southern Zimbabwe, adopted a human-centred design approach in prototyping for resilience strengthening among households.  
Methods: The study adopted deep ethnography to understand people’s stewardship over natural resources. The interconnectedness of natural resources and their use by people needs an iterative process to rethink representation in governance. Community immersion and participatory approaches enabled better framing of the break of forest conservation in distinct ways. Adopting the framework of vitality of ontologies in human-centred designs, we studied how power is constructed, and who holds it and uses it, as well as the dominant relationships. We identified “guerrilla” mopane harvesters, breaking all rules within a seemingly challenged conservative society. The border language of identity and belonging is recreating new ways of local resource contestations. 
Findings:  The prototype development was framed on appreciative enquiry of people resilience. Indigenous cosmologies in resource use were the foundation. Yet these are breaking up for a variety of reasons, compelling people into action and transition. The prototype developed envisages co-flourishing on shared resources to help people enjoy gifts of nature.