Climate Justice and Humanitarian Crisis in Africa: Insights from Lived Experiences in Buhera, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The article examines the nexus between climate justice and humanitarian crises in Southern Africa, focusing on Buhera District, Zimbabwe. It seeks to interrogate how structural inequalities, climate-induced livelihood disruptions, and humanitarian assistance converge to shape rural vulnerabilities. A desk-based interpretivist approach grounded on a post-colonial development lens, has been utilized to understand the challenges and complexities of just transitions in Africa. The lived experiences of smallholder farmers, humanitarian actors, and vulnerable households are explored through document analysis, policy briefs and other secondary data. The study argues that while humanitarian assistance addresses immediate needs, it remains insufficient in addressing broader governance
challenges and systemic inequalities for just transitions in Africa. Despite Africa’s insignificant contribution to the global carbon footprint, it is imperative for international actors on climate adaptation efforts to recognize historical responsibilities for emissions and the urgent need to amplify marginalized voices in global policy fora. The study advocates for a shift in international humanitarian assistance efforts from relief to community resilience-building programs through embedding justice principles within climate adaptation frameworks in Africa. By situating Buhera, in Zimbabwe, within the broader African climate discourse, the study envisages to contribute to current debates on just transitions for contextualized climate policy frameworks.