Reflection on the During and Post COVID-19 Experiences, Response Strategies: The Case of Informal Traders in Masvingo URBAN

Abstract

The research evaluated the Zimbabwe‘s City of Masvingo‘s response to the impacts of COVID-19 on informal traders . The research shows the resilience strategies which have been adopted by the informally employed and the sustainability of the strategies therein. A sample of 94 informal traders were selected to participate in this research. Key informant interviews, questionnaires and observations were used in data collection as they support the mixed approach. Key findings reveal that appreciation of the Sendai Framework by the City of Masvingo that agitates for resilience and protection of livelihoods and productive assets throughout the supply chains, ensure continuity of services and integrate disaster risk management into business models and practices. Most strategies employed by the planning authority to counter contingencies were skewed towards the physical response such as renovations NGENANI 1 (1&2), 2022 and demolitions of marketplaces, water and sanitation rehabilitation and the hierarchy of controls, whist the socio-economic dimension has been kept at bay. The research recognises that social and physical distancing are essential response mechanisms to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is need to for integrative planning that takes human factor into consideration by guaranteeing safety nets.