Vulnerability study on the River Búzi completedWeather risks play a central role13 October to 9 November 2007 Stefan Kienberger, a PhD student at the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) of Salzburg University, conducted a study involving communities along the Búzi River from 13 October to 9 November 2007 to identify social and ecological vulnerability factors in Central Mozambique. One objective was to raise awareness of risks and their management among the local population. Ensuring local community involvement in such exercises is of great importance. The citizens of Inharongue, Munamicua and Muchanessa as well as government representatives and national experts participated actively at various levels. The field study clearly showed that climate factors play an important role for people in Mozambique. Besides having an impact on agriculture, the weather also plays a central role in flood and drought risks. Warning people early is particularly important. Access to infrastructure (healthcare, markets and transportation) was also identified as a key element. Other exercises were aimed at providing a better understanding of spatial relationships using high resolution satellite data and maps (high-risk zones, safe areas, etc.). At the next stage, the newly gathered information (micro-census data, reports, local expert knowledge) will be processed in a geographical information system (GIS) and used to improve local expertise and strengthen the resilience of the people at risk. Read the report (PDF, 501 KB) Visit the project website: http://projects.stefankienberger.at/vulmoz/ |