THE ROLE OF DIASPORA MIGRANTS IN HELPING COMMUNITIES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE IN THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES: A CASE OF CHIKOMBEDZI COMMUNITY

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This article aims to explore the relationship between the effects of climatic migration as an adaptation measure for rural communities, specifically exploring the livelihoods of agricultural depended community of Chikombedzi rural communal area in Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. Being a traditionally agricultural depended society, the community relies mainly on the eco-balance of nature. The detrimental effects of climate change have sparked the movement of the young and most energetic members of the society to explore opportunities in neighbouring countries like South Africa. These migrants are popularly known for doing petty jobs in order to support their respective family members left behind. The rural communities are increasing becoming inhabitable places, and as a result societies are left with weak members of the society who are mainly old people, women and children. The role of migrants in diaspora community is therefore crucial for the survival and adaptation of these communities as they fight the challenges posed by climate change. In exploring the impact of climate migrants to their families and communities, a qualitative research was chosen as the suitable methodological approach, with data being collected by an in-depth interview approach and key-informant interview from local communities. Leveraging on networks and local knowledge, snowballing was used as the most appropriate sampling technique, which depends mainly on community knowledge and systems. Data were collected from 30 participants from different families' volunteered to take part in this research. The findings have demonstrated the importance of the connection between families and relatives in mitigating the effects of climate change. The remittances are used to sustain and support the families' small scale agriculture in a much diversified ways, while for other families there are even diverting from traditional livelihoods to other forms of living. Households which had family members that have migrated permanently had many livelihoods challenges epitomised by a high degree of helplessness, incapacity to adapt and social vulnerability.

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