Invisible People. Examining the Experiences of the Elderly in Emergency Situations. The Case of Cyclone Idai , Chimanimani,Zimbabwe.

Jean Mukoyi, PhD researcher
Ched Nyamanhindi, PhD researcher
Simon Mukwaya, Research Assistant

This qualitative study examines the experiences of elderly people in emergency situations in Zimbabwe, with specific reference to the recent Cyclone Idai which ravaged Chimanimani District ,Zimbabwe in March 2019. The paper employs the Do No Harm theoretical framework proposed by Mary Anderson in the 1990’s to analyze how humanitarian organizations are addressing the needs of elderly people in Zimbabwe. Through indepth interviews conducted with elderly Cyclone Idai victims between the ages of 60 to 85 years, the paper argues that despite their need for assistance, older people are often invisible to humanitarian aid providers. As will be shown by the study, data on the number of older people affected is rarely collected, hence, creating a scarcity of literature and a gap of knowledge that needs to be filled. Older people are rarely consulted in the planning and design of mitigation responses and their skills and knowledge are often ignored.