https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/21 2026-06-06T01:36:04Z 2026-06-06T01:36:04Z Dembedza, Vimbainashe Prisca Chopera, Prosper Mapara, Jacob Mpofu‑Hamadziripi, Nomalanga Kembo, George Macheka, Lesley https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/327 2023-06-27T09:48:29Z 2023-01-27T00:00:00Z

The relationship between climate change induced natural disasters and selected nutrition outcomes: a case of cyclone Idai, Zimbabwe Dembedza, Vimbainashe Prisca; Chopera, Prosper; Mapara, Jacob; Mpofu‑Hamadziripi, Nomalanga; Kembo, George; Macheka, Lesley Background The increased frequency of climate induced natural disasters has exacerbated the risks of malnutrition in the already vulnerable regions. This study was aimed at exploring the efects of Cyclone Idai on nutrition outcomes of women of child-bearing age and children under 5 years. Method The household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews to determine food consumption score (FCS) and household dietary diversity (HDDS), minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) and minimum dietary diversity for children (MDD-C). Severity of Cyclone Idai was grouped into fve categories based on the extent of damage to infrastructure and loss of human lives. Association between continuous and categorical variables was tested using Pearson correlation test and Chi square test, respectively. Linear and binary logistic regression was performed to investigate determinants of food security. Results A total of 535 households were interviewed. There was a signifcant correlation between severity of Cyclone Idai and MDD-W (p=0.011), HDDS (p=0.018) and FCS (p=0.001). However, severity of Cyclone Idai was not a determinant of any nutrition outcome, but gender of household head was a negative predictor of HDDS (β=−0.734, p=0.040), and marital status of household head was a positive predictor (β=0.093, p=0.016) of FCS. Conclusion The fndings provide a good baseline to inform future programming of food aid activities during disas‑ ters. More so, our fndings call for evidence-based policies regarding composition of a food aid basket and targeting of benefciaries. The main strength of this study is that it is the frst to investigate the efects of cyclones on food and nutrition security indicators and is based on a large sample size thus making our results generalisable

2023-01-27T00:00:00Z Chinokwetu, Varaidzo Mutopo, Patience Mubaya, Chipo Plaxedes https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/187 2022-04-07T12:20:26Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Smallholder farmer perceptions and experiences of climate change adaptation policies in semi-arid district of Zvishavane, Zimbabwe Chinokwetu, Varaidzo; Mutopo, Patience; Mubaya, Chipo Plaxedes The Zimbabwe National Climate Change Response Strategy provides the most comprehensive statements of the Government’s climate change adaptation strategies by various sectors because Zimbabwe still lacks a stand-alone policy. Although the strategy has recently been launched, rural agrarian communities have always been interacting with various policies that relate to their welfare in the scenarios of climate uncertainties and the related livelihood sensitivities. This paper interrogates the smallholder farmer experiences of varied climate change adaptation policies and examines the institutional arrangements for different adaptation strategies in the semi-arid area of Zimbabwe. The study adopted an explanatory design and employed a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. 300 households were randomly selected from 3 purposefully selected wards to elicit data on community experiences of climate change adaptation strategies that were then traced to a related policy, policy implementer up to the policy makers’ level. 15 key informants were purposively selected to provide information on policy transmission channels and their implementation at community levels. Questionnaire data was analysed using Statistical package for social scientists, and was supported by information derived from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Analysis and discussion was based on generated themes. It emerged that households and communities have developed strategies to adapt to climate change and these have become local level adaptation policies that are based on their own cultural values and norms. Even though the farmers were not readily aware of government policies, it emerged that state-centred decision making processes in policy formulation revealed a manner that excluded the society as a variable of any significance in the existing policies on climate change adaptation at national, community and household levels. However the government through different pieces of legislation and policies have included the issue of climate change adaptation. As such there is need to create a special unit in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate to coordinate government departments working on weather and climate issues. The findings indicate the need to integrate the household and community based approaches of adaptation into the grand adaptation policies of the government. It was also recommended that society-centred policy arrangements should be integrated into state centred policy making processes

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Chinokwetu, Varaidzo Togo, Muchaiteyi https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/186 2022-04-07T12:05:33Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Examining barriers and opportunities for sustainable adaptation to climate change for smallholder farmers in semi-arid Buhera District, Zimbabw Chinokwetu, Varaidzo; Togo, Muchaiteyi Climate change adaptation is increasingly becoming a more visible and pressing issue in smallholder agriculture of semi-arid environments. In some cases, what seems to be a successful adaptation strategy to climate change may in fact undermine the social, economic and environmental objectives associated with sustainable development of a nation as a whole. This paper examines opportunities and threats to sustainable adaptation to climate change in the case of semi-arid Buhera District in Zimbabwe.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Kupika, Olga L Mbereko, Alexio Chinokwetu, Varaidzo https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/185 2022-04-07T11:33:32Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Role of Universities Towards Achieving Climate Change-Related SDGs: Case of Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe Kupika, Olga L; Mbereko, Alexio; Chinokwetu, Varaidzo Institutions of Higher Education, particularly universities contribute immensely to the United Nations landmark 2030 agenda and the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals—the SDGs. Universities are uniquely placed to broken links between different sectors through fostering cross-cutting approaches to achieving the climate change-related sustainable development goals. This chapter documents the extent to which Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in Zimbabwe contributes towards achieving the climate change-related SDGs (specifically SDG #13) through research, community engagement, and teaching. The chapter relied on desktop reviews of grey literature produced by the university in the form of reports, research records, and the CUT database. The data was interpreted using content analysis. Findings indicate that the university offers modules with components on climate change especially in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST) as well as School of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (SWEC). The study also found that apart from taught degree programmes, some academics collaborate internally and with external stakeholders towards research activities and community programmes, which contribute towards climate change science, adaptation, mitigation, and resilience in Zimbabwe and Africa. CUT can be used as a model on how universities can translate climate-related research into policy and action through fostering linkages between academics and other stakeholders towards climate smart development initiatives.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z