Comparison of community-based adaptation strategies for droughts and floods in Kenya and the Central African Republic

Abstract

This paper discusses community-based adaptation strategies for droughts and floods in small watersheds in Kenya and the Central African Republic. Survey data on adaptation strategies and annual rainfall data in the watersheds were used to assess the occurrence of floods and droughts, and their impacts. In both areas, the main adaptation strategy for floods is temporary relocation. For droughts, changing livelihood activities was the main adaptation strategy, while relief-seeking applied to both droughts and floods. We recommend greater preparedness, capacity building, and the diversification of livelihoods as means of enhancing adaptation.