Climate disasters don’t just destroy homes, they change lives forever. We spoke with cyclone survivors in Zimbabwe
Survivors of Tropical Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe experienced not only material losses but also emotional, cultural, and social impacts that are harder to quantify. Disaster recovery efforts must address these non-economic losses to rebuild lives.
Tropical Cyclone Idai hit eastern Zimbabwe's Chimanimani District in 2019, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Researchers interviewed survivors and local leaders to understand the disaster's impact. They found that survivors experienced significant non-economic losses, including grief, dislocation, and loss of cultural identity. The cyclone affected over 3 million people across Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with economic losses exceeding $2 billion. The researchers identified four major types of non-economic loss: loss of life and lasting trauma, loss of cultural significance, dislocation, and a lingering sense of disruption. Disaster recovery efforts must address these hidden losses to rebuild lives.
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