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AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF DROUGHTS AND WINDSTORMS ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD IN RURAL AREAS OF BALAKA DISTRICT, MALAWI

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datacite.subject.fosNatural sciences::Earth and related Environmental sciences ::Geosciences, multidisciplinary
dc.contributor.authorKenamu, Blessings
dc.cosupervisorb949f1c2-0133-4c65-893c-b810e2df31d1
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-23T12:33:35Z
dc.date.available2025-01-23T12:33:35Z
dc.date.issued2024-06-01
dc.descriptionSubmitted to the Department of Geography, Earth Sciences and Environment, School of Natural and Applied Sciences as a requirement for the award of a Master of Science in Geography and Earth Sciences
dc.description.abstractDisasters emanating from frequent extreme weather events have devastating effects on human communities. Balaka District in Malawi is among areas frequently hit by weather related disasters such as droughts and windstorms. This study investigated people’s perceptions on climate extremes and the effectiveness of disaster reduction strategies being implemented in Balaka District. The study used mixed research design, integrating interpretivist and post-positivist research paradigms. Qualitative data was collected from key stakeholders in disaster management sampled using purposive sampling through interviews, documentary review and questionnaires. Quantitative data (climatic data) for the period 1988 to 2018 was obtained from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services. Qualitative data was analysed using the Miles and Huberman Framework for qualitative data analysis. Trends in climate data were analysed using the Mann-Kendall Statistic at =0.05 level and the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) was used to analyse and drought temporal patterns. The study found that 96.7% of the respondents perceived an increase in the frequency and strength of droughts and windstorms. The Mann-Kendall trend statistic suggests declining precipitation amounts and wind strength in the last three decades in the district. The declining trend in precipitation correlates with drought frequency as evidenced by the SPI analysis. Drought mitigation strategies being implemented in the district include growing early maturing crop varieties, early planting, planting Drought Tolerant Crops (DTC), crop diversification, mixed cropping, irrigation farming, agroforestry, home gardening, food aid and soil and water conservation measures. On the other hand, planting trees around their settlements was the only strategy people use to mitigate impacts of strong winds. However, it was established that most mitigation strategies employed were found to be ineffective to a large extent due to high levels of poverty. Ineffectiveness of the copping strategies is contributing to continued suffering amongst local people in rural areas. More resources have to be allocated towards alleviating problems related to droughts and windstorms disasters among the poor rural population.
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.unima.ac.mw/handle/123456789/668
dc.language.isoen
dc.schoolscentersoptionsb0e8094e-c230-4f28-8ae9-b0fc60729932
dc.subjectWindstorms
dc.subjectDroughts
dc.subjectAdaptation strategies
dc.subjectLivelihood
dc.subjectBalaka
dc.subjectDisasters
dc.subjectMeteorological Services
dc.subjectDisaster management
dc.subjectPoverty
dc.subjectAgro-forestry
dc.subjectCrop diversification
dc.subjectMixed cropping
dc.subjectIrrigation farming
dc.subjectHome gardening
dc.subjectClimate change
dc.subjectPopulation
dc.supervisor08fff9eb-a5c3-4867-aada-d88946f05cc1
dc.titleAN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF DROUGHTS AND WINDSTORMS ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD IN RURAL AREAS OF BALAKA DISTRICT, MALAWI
dc.typetext::thesis::master thesis
dspace.entity.typePublication
oairecerif.author.affiliationUniversity of Malawi

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