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Sustainable methods for reducing communities’ vulnerability to flooding in Mozambique

DARREN LUMBROSO¹, DAVID RAMSBOTTOM¹ & MATHIAS SPALIVEIRO²

1 HR Wallingford Ltd, Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BA, UK

d.lumbroso@hrwalllingford.co.uk

2 United Nations (UN) Human Settlements Programme, PO Box 159, Maputo, Mozambique

Abstract In 2000 Mozambique was hit by widespread floods that affected two million people and cost approximately 20% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. A cost–benefit analysis of structural vs non-structural measures has indicated that in Mozambique a structural approach to flood management cannot be justified. As a consequence flood mitigation measures need to focus on non-structural solutions, such as reducing vulnerability to flooding and improving preparedness. This paper details the development of sustainable flood mitigations strategies, and the production of awareness raising and educational tools to reduce poor communities’ vulnerability to flooding. The tools, which were developed in partnership with local stakeholders, include a Source Book on sustainable flood mitigation strategies, a series of posters, together with a manual and card game aimed at improving flood preparedness amongst school children. These tools were piloted in partnership with three communities in the Limpopo River basin.

Key words flood; Mozambique; reducing vulnerability; sustainable flood mitigation strategies