Shayamanao, Molly2025-08-122024Shayamanao, Molly . (2024). Social work role and interventions during climate change related disasters in Zimbabwe [PhD thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45835https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45835A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy, In the Faculty of Humanities, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Social work interventions during disasters are crucial in restoring individuals, families, groups, and communities’ well-being and social functioning. Notably, social workers’ involvement in disaster-oriented practice in Zimbabwe is considered inadequate. The increasing occurrences of climate change-related disasters exacerbate the adverse social and economic impacts on the most vulnerable groups. Social workers’ limited involvement in disaster issues is attributed to overreliance on residual social work practice, whereby intervention occurs when a problem already requires immediate attention. Social workers across the globe are, therefore, increasingly called upon to engage in disaster management. This study adopted a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative research approach, utilising a case study research design. Additionally, the study was based on intervention research. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 26 social work practitioners working in Manicaland Province, six social work lecturers working in social work departments at institutions of higher learning, and three policymakers. The study utilised in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect relevant data. Thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clark’s (2006) six-phased approach was used to analyse the gathered data. The research findings provide insights into the social work profession’s unique contribution to disaster management and shed light on the challenges social work practitioners encounter, which influence their effective involvement. The current disaster management landscape in Zimbabwe was discussed and gaps were identified in training and the knowledge required for social workers to respond effectively to disasters. This study emphasised the importance of integrating social work expertise into comprehensive disaster management strategies and highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary approaches. The study findings provided relevance for enhancing engagement through context-relevant interventions. Ultimately, this research contributed to the existing body of knowledge on social work in disaster management, informing social work training and practice developments. Finally, it is anticipated that the findings might contribute to social work practitioners’ increased involvement in disaster management in Zimbabwe.en© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDclimate changedisastersdisaster managementdisaster-oriented social workinterventionManicaland ProvinceZimbabweDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-13: Climate actionSDG-7: Affordable and clean energy