Enhancing Disaster Response in Zimbabwe: The Challenges that Hinder the Adoption of Information and Communication Technology by Humanitarian Organisations: The Case of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe

Abstract

More than 250 lives were lost and infrastructure destroyed in 2019 in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, during Cyclone Idai. With effective disaster response systems, many lives could have been saved. This study aimed to assess the challenges that hinder the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by humanitarian organisations to mitigate effects of such disasters. If properly applied, Information and Communication Technology can be useful in disaster response. The population of this study comprised 160 individuals purposively selected from the humanitarian organisations which operated in Chimanimani which was affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019. The Yamane formula was used to calculate the sample size of 114 respondents in the study. Structured questionnaires were used as research instruments in the study. The study concluded that lack of management will, lack of regular training and capacity building on ICT usage, lack of real-time monitoring and tracking of activities and inadequate data analytics capabilities, lack of financial resources to invest in ICT infrastructure hindered the adoption of ICT by humanitarian organisations in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. The study recommended the development of ICT strategies that commits humanitarian organisations to the adoption of ICT to improve disaster response. This can be demonstrated by committing adequate financial resources aimed at the procurement of ICT infrastructure and training of staff. The employees in the humanitarian organisations in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe should be trained on ICT to develop systems that aid disaster response and allow real time monitoring and tracking of activities.