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Drought coping strategies in southern Africa 1966-2016

Project description

Development of drought resilient strategies

A cyclical shortfall in rainfall over specific agricultural seasons in modern southern Africa precipitates moderate to acute droughts. This natural and recurring drought phenomenon hugely upsets food, income and water livelihood strands for local communities. The EU-funded drought project investigates the socio-economic and environmental impacts of droughts in southern Africa between 1966 and 2016. It evaluates and proffers drought coping strategies in this semi-tropical and drought-prone region. The project focuses on Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Specific areas to be investigated are Kgatleng in Botswana, Inhambane in Mozambique, Gauteng in South Africa, and Midlands in Zimbabwe. The research harnesses five interdisciplinary approaches: historical, comparative multiple case studies, participatory rural appraisal, sustainable livelihoods, and appreciative inquiry analysis.

Objective

This study investigates possibilities of finding long-lasting solutions to real-life socio-economic difficulties triggered by recurring droughts (shangwa) in modern southern Africa over half a century, 1966-2016. It focuses on evaluating drought coping strategies in the semi-tropical and drought-prone region. Based on the research as it matures, it proposes to make significant suggestions for long-term solutions in drought disaster preparedness and management. My project uses a multiple case study and a comparative approach, investigating specific drought-prone areas in four different countries—South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Specific areas to be investigated are Gauteng in South Africa, Inhambane in Mozambique, Kgatleng in Botswana, and Midlands in Zimbabwe. The research harnesses five broadly related interdisciplinary approaches: historical, comparative multiple case studies, participatory rural appraisal, sustainable livelihoods, and appreciative inquiry analysis- all of them underpinned by semi-structured interviews.

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT BASEL
Net EU contribution
€ 203 149,44
Address
PETERSPLATZ 1
4051 Basel
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 203 149,44