This brief succinctly reflects on the main framework for protecting persons affected by natural disasters in Zimbabwe. This brief concludes that the Kampala Convention is needed in order to protect persons affected by natural disasters in Zimbabwe.
Climate disasters such as tropical cyclone storms have become a common phenomenon in the SADC region. Some tropical cyclones such as Eline, Gloria and recently Idai and Kenneth have taken human lives, taken peoples source of livelihood, destroyed people’s homes and caused Internal Displacement of People in several countries in SADC. Zimbabwe is no exception to such catastrophic disasters. The humanitarian situation brought about by Cyclone Idai bear testimony to the need for enhanced state preparedness on natural disasters. This brief examines the law and policy terrain for protecting IDPs in situations of natural disasters.
By Ryan Mitra | Jun 24, 2026
This insightful blog examines how internally displaced persons (IDPs) in India are disenfranchised from voting and participating fully in civic life. Widespread failure to recognise people’s displacement status and circumstances shifts many of the burdens of proving identity, residence and voter eligibility onto the shoulders of already traumatised people. IDPs fleeing disasters, conflict or communal violence may have lost their homes and documentation, crossed state boundaries and taken refuge in regions where their native languages are not spoken. Digital access challenges and bureaucratic inefficiencies place the burden of administrative adaptation on those least able to bear it. Too many IDPs are thereby excluded from voter lists.
Though India records large numbers of new disaster displacements every year, it does not maintain a consolidated national displacement database. Such a database, the author argues, would ensure the voting and other rights of internally displaced persons are protected while providing a much-needed tool for monitoring whether IDPs are progressing toward durable solutions.