Page 115 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Climate change-induced human mobility

indicates that “man helps each other when crisis attacks.” Chimanimani, with its fertile land and favorable climate,
pamwe tinoti “Nhamo yako ndeyangu” (“Your problems attracted migrants from nearby areas seeking to relocate
are mine”). Our kinsman in Chipinge came to our aid in and establish new lives. Nevertheless, the frequent
terms of resources. We went there to settle temporarily, incidence of climate-induced disasters has prompted many
and we left others there. It is only that I am a grown man, to relocate to different locations. The researcher noted that
and I prefer to die in the land of my fathers. I would have most individuals, however, only engaged in temporary
stayed with my relatives. However, this is a new year, migration, returning to their place of origin after disasters.
and I will survive here. I would not deny we left young The Afrocentric interpretation of this phenomenon posits
people there in Chipinge; they are continuing with their that community members possess a strong attachment to
lives” (Participant B6, elderly woman, Ngangu village, their birthplace. In Chimanimani, the researcher examined
Chimanimani). both short-term and long-term climate-induced mobility
The participants noted that they would not have patterns. These findings reinforce the idea that most
succeeded without the support of their kinsmen, who migration within Africa occurs internally, with individuals
provided shelter, land, and assistance with relocation. In impacted by climatic disasters typically reluctant to move
addition, the participants received valuable information beyond their original locations. However, livelihood
from their kinsmen about areas with good livelihoods, incentives significantly influence mobility decisions.
available agricultural land, job opportunities, and Individuals often migrate in search of sustenance and
marketable products. These findings are consistent with temporary job opportunities to ensure their families’
Nyahunda & Tirivangasi (2021b), who argue that social survival. This study uncovers that, for long-term climate-
capital enhances the adaptive capacity of a community induced migration, the decision to permanently relocate
to climate-induced disasters in rural Zimbabwe. from impacted areas is contingent upon the availability
Regarding long-term climate-induced human mobility of financial resources and the presence of relatives. The
in Chimanimani, the researcher noted a change in the researcher successfully developed a new narrative using
historical narrative where people who were often reluctant Afrocentric methodologies, specifically the philosophical
to leave vulnerable areas near the mountains and rivers are sagacity approach and talking cycles. These methodologies
now willing to relocate. The interviews with NGO officials are valuable for examining the connections between
working in Chimanimani revealed that the United Nations mobility and climate-related disasters. By emphasizing
Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Food historical and cultural aspects, they facilitate a deeper
Programme were building permanent structures for the understanding and re-conceptualization of internal and
affected communities. The UNOPS, at the time of the study, regional mobility. The researcher concludes that human
was building climate-resilient houses similar to those built mobility is an essential adaptation mechanism in response
to withstand earthquakes. In a post-disaster situation, to climate-induced disasters.
organizations involved in housing reconstruction aim
to provide better housing to the surviving communities Acknowledgments
compared to their pre-disaster conditions. This approach None.
has been effective in cyclone-prone countries like Fiji
(Elkharboutly & Wilkinson, 2022). This commendable Funding
initiative has resulted in permanent, long-term human The fieldwork data collection was funded by the JYU-
mobility in Chimanimani, not knowing how successful Coalition of Africa Networks (JYU-CAN), University of
these were in the end. The community members have no Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
choice but to abide by the provisions made available to
them. The changing climate is now a reality in Zimbabwe, Conflict of interest
Southern Africa, and Africa as a whole.
The author declares that he has no competing interests.
4. Conclusions Author contributions

The study examined human mobility patterns based on
the experiences of the climate-affected Chimanimani This is a single-authored article.
constituency in Zimbabwe. Previously, community Ethics approval and consent to participate
members often disregarded or dismissed climate-related
communications due to their lack of firsthand exposure The researcher obtained written consent from participants
to the severe consequences of climate-related events. to participate in the study.

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 109 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2983