The role of civil society in dealing with internally displaced persons: the case of the Basilwizi Trust in the Nyami-Nyami area, Negande ward (2002-2010)

Abstract

IDPs worldwide are amongst the most vulnerable groups in society. They face a number of challenges and these include poverty, food insecurity, acute water shortages, inadequate educational and health facilities as well as marginalization. In the wake of such challenges this has given rise to the intervention by civil society in the form of programs and projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of these IDPs and empowering them. The aim of the research is to analyse the role played by civil society in dealing with IDPs with particular attention being given to Basilwizi Trust and IDPs in the Nyami-Nyami district, Negande ward. The study was guided by three objectives which are: to examine the role played by civil society in dealing with IDPs in Zimbabwe; to examine the impact of Basilwizi Trust on IDPs in the Nyami-Nyami area, Negande ward and to examine community response to activities of Basilwizi Trust. The researcher employed qualitative research and two methods of gathering data were employed and these are interviews and questionnaires. These were used to find out the programs and projects that were implemented by Basilwizi Trust and how these have improved and transformed the livelihoods of IDPs in the Negande ward. The data that was gathered and analysed revealed that most of the projects that were implemented were quite successful in addressing the poverty situation that is prevalent in the Zambezi Valley. It was also noted that the Basilwizi Trust faced several challenges as these include financial constraints, cultural barriers in project implementation process and accessibility problems to their targeted project areas. The study therefore concluded by suggesting and recommending ways in which Basilwizi Trust can effectively deal with IDPs in the Nyami-Nyami in the future.