The Institute for Global Health and Development
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Item Shocks, vulnerability and coping(Sable Press, Harare, ZW, 2012-11) Mararike, N; Nyamwanza, AdmireThe report presents data drawn from the survey (Moving Zimbabwe Forward Wellbeing and Poverty Survey- MZF) and contextualizes findings in relation to other studies, such as the Poverty Assessment Survey Studies (PASS). It provides comprehensive suggestions for both policy and practice to address poverty in Zimbabwe, while identifying poverty traps: lack of education; lack of quality employment, low land and labour productivity, and health issues. HIV/AIDS, malaria, bilharzias, diabetes, hypertension, infant mortality and maternal morbidity undermine productivity and capital accumulation. A comprehensive social protection programme is necessary, including cash transfers, education and health assistance, and cash (or food) for work.Item Livelihood resilience and adaptive capacity: A critical conceptual review(AOSIS, 2012-10-16) Nyamwanza, AdmireThe concepts resilience and adaptive capacity have gained currency in ecology, climate change, disaster risk reduction and related development discourse; yet there has been almost an absence of clarity in the understanding, substance, definition as well as applicability of these concepts in livelihoods theory and practice – where they can potentially contribute far-reaching insights vis-à-vis long-term response to livelihoods adversity in different communities. Drawing upon literature from several disciplines utilising these concepts, this article traces the roots and evolvement of the resilience and adaptive capacity concepts and suggests indicators and pillar processes towards their integration into livelihoods thinking. This article therefore mainly contributes towards the conceptualisation and understanding of a focused ‘resilience and adaptive capacity’ construct in livelihoods analysis.Item Transfrontier parks and development in southern Africa: The case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park(Taylor & Francis Group, 2013-10-07) Bhatasara, Sandra; Nyamwanza, Admire; Kujinga, KrasposyThe interface between local communities and transfrontier parks has received considerable attention, yet the utility of the transfrontier concept in developing livelihoods and environmental sustainability in southern Africa remains questionable. This paper argues that the benefits of transfrontier parks at regional, national and community levels cannot be overstated; neither should the problems be underestimated. Transfrontier parks may be viable alternatives in achieving development that is sustainable by protecting southern Africa's fragile environments, generating more funds and bringing significant and major improvements to the lives of the rural poor. At the same time, transfrontier parks raise issues of sovereignty of national governments, create complexity in governance processes and can lead to the needs of rural communities being sacrificed. Therefore, there is a need to find ways to reconcile conflictual and sometimes controversial circumstances in the establishment of transfrontier parks and, inquire further into the programmatic blueprints for transfrontier initiatives.Item Bridging Policy and Practice for Livelihood Resilience in Rural Africa: Lessons from the Mid-Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe(Rural Development Institute (RDI), Brandon University, 2015-02-27) Nyamwanza, AdmireBuilding and enhancing livelihood resilience in most rural African communities is becoming a complex policy issue since the principal characteristics of most of these communities in contemporary times have become their increasingly differentiated nature and high socio-economic and environmental uncertainty due to multiple and reinforcing stresses and shocks. A major problem has been the glaring gulf between national policies and realities on the ground with a uniform approach being taken in the interpretation and implementation of general development and livelihoods policies on the ground in most countries. Yet the standard one-size fits-all policy approach is not possible as situations have become increasingly dynamic and conditions continue to differ from community to community. Utilising examples from the mid Zambezi Valley area of Mbire district in Zimbabwe, this paper argues that national policy frameworks should allow ample room for innovation, experimentation and knowledge exchange in local livelihoods. In the same vein, policies and policymakers should exhibit a profound appreciation of the complexity of contemporary, dynamically vulnerable environments and livelihoods therein through increased local stakeholder participation in policy interpretation and implementation as well as in reconceptualising 'sustainability' and viewing it through local lenses.Item The utility of postmodern thinking in climate adaptation research(Springer, 2014-11-12) Nyamwanza, Admire; Bhatasara, SandraAdaptation has assumed centre stage in current climate change discourse, yet there has been minimal attention to the explicit exploration of epistemological and ontological concerns in the area. This paper focuses on these critical dimensions by exploring the contributions of a postmodernist perspective to climate adaptation research and analysis. Based on the ideas of three leading postmodern thinkers, Jean-François Lyotard, Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida, the paper presents postmodernism as an integrative research paradigm which acknowledges the complexity of the adaptation discourse by embracing the diversity of meanings and narratives around climate adaptation and the utilization of a plurality of methodologies and approaches in research with a potential to drive rigorous and contextually relevant climate adaptation research.Item The Big Question: Climate’s Biggest Losers: Who Has the Most to Lose from Climate Change in Your Country(Duke University Press, 2015) Nyamwanza, Admire; Kayhan, Ali Kerem; Pandit, Maharaj K.; Haque, Afroza; Riedy, Christopher; Doherty-Bigara, Jennifer; Galarraga, Ibon; Dingman, EricaWith a host of climate-driven natural disasters in recent months, and among the worst winters in years in the northern hemisphere, there is an increasing perception that climate change is a critical reality that must be faced by a growing mass of the world’s population. Accordingly, we chose to ask our panel of global experts, weighing in from six continents, who in their country has the most at stake in the face of our changing climate and the forces driving these environmental disruptions. Climate change has had and is projected to continue having huge impacts across all socio-economic sectors in Zimbabwe. However, immediate and critical impacts with huge losses will be felt mostly by smallholder subsistence rural farmers who also form the bulk of the marginalized poor. Smallholder farmers’ dependence on rainfall and temperature dynamics exposes them to climate variability...Item Anticipatory adaptation and the role of decadal climate information in rural African livelihood systems: Lessons from the Mid-Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe(Emerald, 2016-03-21) Nyamwanza, Admire; New, MarkPurpose This study aims to explore the utility of anticipatory adaptation to climate variability and related livelihood sensitivities in rural African contexts using the case of Mbire district situated in the mid-Zambezi valley region of Zimbabwe. The provision of decadal climate information (up to ten years), as part of an anticipatory adaptation package, is at the centre of analysis. Design/methodology/approach The study used semi-structured and key informant interviews, with a total of 45 semi-structured interviews being conducted with randomly selected long-term communal farmers in the case study area. Whilst data from semi-structured interviews was arranged in Microsoft Excel, thematic analysis was used in analyzing all data. Findings Anticipatory adaptation and decadal climate projections are shown to potentially enhance flexibility in adaptation planning vis- à-vis responding to climate variability and other challenges, as well as reduce chances of maladaptation in responding to climate challenges in the context of multiple and reinforcing stresses and shocks. Originality/value Anticipatory adaptation, with its three main pillars of future analysis, flexibility of strategies and proactive action, is emerging as key in assisting adaptation planning, the harnessing of opportunities and decision-making vis- à-vis responding to climate uncertainties and related livelihood sensitivities. Yet there have not been much empirically grounded analyses in understanding the role of anticipatory adaptation in rural Africa. This study therefore adds to evidence-based analyses towards understanding the role and utility of anticipatory adaptation in local communities in Africa. KeywordsItem Climate change, sustainable water management and institutional adaptation in rural sub-Saharan Africa(Springer, 2016-01-20) Nyamwanza, Admire; Kujinga, Krasposy K.Much current work on climate adaptation options vis-à-vis water management in rural sub-Saharan Africa has tended to focus more on technological and infrastructural alternatives and less on institutional alternatives. Yet, vulnerability to climate variability and change in these contexts is a function not just of biophysical outcomes but also of institutional factors that can vary significantly at relatively finer scales. This paper seeks to contribute towards closing this gap by examining institutional options for sustainable water management in rural SSA in the context of climate change and variability. It explores challenges for transforming water-related institutions and puts forward institutional alternatives towards adapting to increasingly complex conditions created by climate change and variability. The paper suggests revisiting the Integrated Water Resources Management approach which has dominated water institutional debates and reforms in Africa over the recent past, towards actively adopting resilience and adaptive management lenses in crafting water institutional development initiatives.Item Contributions of decadal climate information in agriculture and food systems in east and southern Africa(Springer, 2017-05-22) Nyamwanza, Admire; New, Mark George; Fujisawa, Mariko; Johnston, Peter; Hajat, AkeelWhilst there has been much focus on the utility of climate information on the seasonal timescale and several decades into the future vis-à-vis decision-making and responses to climate and related risks in Africa, less attention has been given to information on the decadal timescale. Yet much policy, planning and investment decision-making within African agricultural and food systems take place within this timescale. Decadal prediction research itself has become a hot topic, and it is against this background that we explore the questions, ‘what climate information could be utilised by farmers within this timescale and of what value will it be?’ Using case studies of both small and large-scale farming systems in east and southern Africa, we show decadal climate information potentially providing opportunities for flexible, proactive and innovative decision-making in response to projected dynamics within this period, ultimately bridging the current gap not covered by seasonal forecasts and climate change projections.Item Exploring pathways to private sector investment in climate change adaptation and resilience in Africa(African Journals Online, 2018-06-16) Nyamwanza, Admire; Bhatasara, SandraThe objective of this paper is to explore ways in which African governments can engage the private sector to successfully create conditions and incentives for accelerated private sector investment in climate change adaptation and resilience activities in their countries. The paper is based on a critical review of both grey and published literature, with arguments being supported by cases of experiences in different African countries. The paper finds that while there are clear opportunities for private sector involvement in climate change adaptation and resilience efforts in Africa, there are also several critical financial and non-financial barriers that have to be dealt with, to ensure that private sector players successfully tap into the available opportunities. The paper recommends the setting up of coherent and coordinated policy and regulatory frameworks towards creating a conducive environment for private sector investment in climate change adaptation and resilience activities in Africa.