Vulnerability, Poverty and Coping in Zimbabwe

40 Pages Posted: 5 Jan 2010

See all articles by Kate Bird

Kate Bird

Overseas Development Institute (ODI)

Martin Prowse

University of Antwerp

Date Written: January 1, 2009

Abstract

This paper uses five life histories from three locations in Zimbabwe - one peri-urban, one urban and one rural - to provide a window on current processes of impoverishment and adverse coping. Each case and location highlight key aspects of Zimbabwe’s recent economic and political turmoil. Together the cases suggest that, similar to Hoddinott’s work on the persistence of the 1993-94 rainfall shock in rural Zimbabwe, above and beyond increased mortality rates and morbidity levels, current adverse forms of coping are creating widespread irreversible wellbeing losses. The persistent effects of the current crisis surely adds weight to arguments that the international community should be more, rather than less, proactive in delivering aid to the Zimbabwean people, despite the politicization of aid and logistical difficulties.

Keywords: Zimbabwe, fragile states, fragile groups, vulnerability, coping strategies, life

Suggested Citation

Bird, Kate and Prowse, Martin, Vulnerability, Poverty and Coping in Zimbabwe (January 1, 2009). Chronic Poverty Research Centre Working Paper No. 136, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1531723 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1531723

Kate Bird (Contact Author)

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) ( email )

111 Westminister Bridge Rd.
London, SE17JD
United Kingdom

Martin Prowse

University of Antwerp ( email )

Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

HOME PAGE: http://www.ua.ac.be/main.aspx?c=martin.prowse

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