Climate change vulnerability and risk analysis in the Bobirwa sub-district, Botswana: towards improving livelihood adaptation to climate

Semi-arid areas in Botswana are characterised by high rainfall variability, frequent droughts, low soil moisture and extreme events such as flash floods which normally combine with governance shortcomings and structural inequalities to exacerbate the vulnerability of communities.

In November 2015, ASSAR’s southern Africa researchers – from the University of Botswana, University of Cape Town, University of Namibia and Oxfam GB – conducted a two-day Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) workshop in Bobirwa, Botswana.

The workshop was attended by various government officials, Village Development Committee members, local community members, and representatives from farmer committees, collectively known as the VRA Knowledge Group.

The VRA process aims to develop a common understanding among various stakeholders (government officials, village committees and local communities) of the main hazards and issues affecting those living in a given social-ecological landscape. This is done so as to design measures that reduce risk, enhance wellbeing and promote resilience to hazards in the landscape.