Chairperson – Dr. Emmanuel Mavhura
Departmental Overview
The Department of Disaster Risk Reduction is dedicated to advancing knowledge and practices in the fields of disaster management and risk reduction. With a committed staff of eight professionals, the Department offers high-quality educational programs, including a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Disaster Management Sciences and a Master of Science Degree in Disaster Risk Management. Our aim is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of disasters on communities and the environment.
Mandate of the Department
The mandate of the Department of Disaster Risk Reduction encompasses the following key responsibilities:
- Education and Training: To provide comprehensive educational programs that foster expertise in disaster management and risk reduction.
- Research and Innovation: To conduct research that contributes to the understanding of disaster risks and the development of innovative solutions.
- Community Engagement: To engage with local communities and stakeholders to promote disaster preparedness and resilience.
- Policy Development: To contribute to the formulation of policies and strategies that enhance disaster risk management at local, national, and regional levels.
Research Areas
- Disaster Risk Assessment and Management
- Methods for evaluating risks associated with all types of disasters.
- Development of risk assessment tools and frameworks.
- Climate Change and Disaster Resilience
- Impact of climate change on frequency and intensity of disasters.
- Strategies for enhancing community resilience to climate-induced disasters.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Best practices for disaster preparedness planning at the community and institutional levels.
- Evaluation of emergency response systems and protocols.
- Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
- Engagement strategies for involving local communities in disaster risk management.
- Case studies on successful community-led initiatives.
- Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation
- Analysis of recovery processes post-disaster and their effectiveness.
- Long-term impacts of disasters on communities and ecosystems.
- Technological Innovations in Disaster Management
- Use of GIS and remote sensing in disaster monitoring and response.
- Development of mobile applications for disaster alerts and information dissemination.
- Public Policy and Disaster Governance
- Examination of policies and regulations related to disaster risk management.
- Role of government and non-governmental organisations in disaster governance.
- Socio-Economic Impacts of Disasters
- Impact of disasters on livelihoods and economic stability.
- Vulnerability assessments of different social groups to disaster risks.
- Mental Health and Psychological Resilience
- Effects of disasters on mental health and community well-being.
- Strategies for psychological support and trauma recovery post-disaster.
- Sustainable Development and Disaster Risk Reduction
- Integration of disaster risk reduction into sustainable development goals (SDGs).
- Research on building sustainable infrastructure in disaster-prone areas.
Mission
To empower individuals and communities through education, research, and practice in disaster risk management, fostering resilience and sustainable development.
Vision
To be a leading institution in disaster risk reduction education and research, recognised for excellence in training professionals who can tackle the challenges of disasters effectively.
Core Values
- Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviour in all our activities.
- Collaboration: Fostering partnerships with communities, government agencies, and international organisations.
- Innovation: Encouraging creativity and new ideas in disaster management practices.
- Inclusivity: Promoting diversity and equity in our educational programs and outreach efforts.
- Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in teaching, research, and community service.
Undergraduate Programme on Offer
Postgraduate Programme on Offer
Chairperson
Dr. Emmanuel Mavhura – Chairperson
Lecturers
- Dr Happwell Musarandega
- Dr Elisha Moyo
- Dr Alexio Mbereko
- Dr Ezra Pedzisayi
- Mr Manfold Gomo
- Mrs Lyndsay Muyanga-Dzungu
Teaching Assistant
- Mr Andrew Muchenje
Technical Staff
- (Vacant)
Secretary
- Ms Tendayi Manyiti
