The Effect Of Flood On Livelihood And Livelihood Coping Strategies In Rural Communities Of Anambra West L.G.A, Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

Among all the natural hazards humans are exposed to, flood is most wide spread and it accounts for untold damages to assets worth billions of dollars as well as suffering to millions of people across the world. This study examined the impact of flood on socio-economic well –being and coping strategies in the rural communities of Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State with emphasis on socio-economic status, effects on social-economic activities across gender, age groups and livelihood coping strategies. Survey research design was used and a total of 400 household respondents were sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Simple percentage was used for analysis of frequency data while ANOVA was for testing significance of relationship among variables. 68% of respondents in the study area are farmers and 65 % have no formal education, which implies that the literacy level of the sampled population greatly influenced the nature of the occupation and the status of their livelihoods. The study also revealed that the impacts of flooding on agricultural activities and socio-economic well-being of the residents is significant. A total of 1064 houses in the area were affected, total of 35 deaths as a result of flooding, a total of 37,683 persons have been forced to relocate to other places, a total of 12 roads, 19 schools, 31 churches, 16 health facilities, 804 farmlands, 736 households and 11 markets were affected by flooding in the study area. Women were more vulnerable due to poverty and less ownership of fragmented croplands. The impact on age groups is significantly different with people most vulnerable between the age ranges of 0-14 and 70 and above. Residents use sand bags to make roads a bit passable as well as wooden constructions as a means of gaining access to their houses as coping strategy, where many relocate to other places for safety. The persistent floods in the area have constituted a significant source of threat to life, property, livelihoods, and social amenities. The most adverse impact of flooding on livelihood recounted by the people includes human and animal lives; agricultural lands and products; housing, education, transportation commerce and other infrastructure. This study therefore recommends that farmers in the area should be encouraged to embark on early planting or cultivation of more water tolerant crop species and crops species that can mature early enough so that they can be harvested on time. This can be achieved by providing farmers in the area with improved varieties of crops from the Ministry of Agriculture.