Climate Change and Cross-Border Displacement: Strategies and Policy Responses in the Context of Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe

This chapter examines the relationship between climate change and cross-border displacement in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe, focusing on socio-economic impacts and policy responses. It contributes towards the thematic area on climate change and cross-border displaceents amidst complex challenges:strategies and policies gaps in Africa. Climate change in Zimbabwe has had devastating effects on livelihoods, health and the environment to climate migrants and climate refugees . However, there is a dearth in literature regarding the implications that climate change has had on cross-border displacement stratgies and policies in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular. Globally, Zimbabwe is one of the countries that has been acutely affected by cross-border displacements and climate refugees due to natural disasters like floods , cyclones and climate related disasters .Climate displacement in this study constituted of all persons below 45 years which is Zimbabwe’s legal age of majority of working class .In order to comprehend the relationship between climate change and cross-border displacement the study was guided by three key questions: How do extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, influence cross-border displacement patterns in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe?,In what ways do existing legal and policy frameworks in Zimbabwe address or fail to address climate-induced cross-border displacement? And How do social identities, including gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, shape the vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities of individuals displaced by climate change in Chiredzi District? .Findings from the study indicated that climate change effects have negatively caused climate migrants or cross-border displacements and thereby implementing strategies and policies to safeguard climate refugees exeperiences . The chapter concluded by providing possible measures , policies and strategies to address cross-border displacements the major solution being focussing on climate change mitigation efforts since climate change is linked to multiple variables that have a direct impact on climate refugees .