Utilisation of Coping Strategies by Flood Victims in Rural Households of Benue State, Nigeria

Climate change has increased the intensity of floods, posing threats to communities worldwide. The extent to which households can utilise various coping strategies will help to improve their resilience. This study ascertained utilisation of coping strategies by flood victims in rural households of Benue state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 130 respondents. Data collected through structured interview schedule were analysed using percentages, means and chi-square. Results show that there has been frequent occurrence of flooding in the past five years. A higher percentage (80.8%) indicated a negative effect of flooding. Provision of boat to ease movement (89.2%), free infrastructure assistance like IDPs camp (85.4%) and early warnings (83.8%) were interventions provided to cushion the effects of flooding. Moving valuable items, praying to God (99.2%), engaging in new income-generating activities (90.8%) and taking relief from organisations (90.0%) were the most utilised coping strategies. Most (75.4%) respondents had high utilisation of coping strategies. A significant relationship existed between superstitious belief (?2=4.317, p=0.038) and utilisation of coping strategies. The study concluded high utilisation of coping strategies against flooding by the flood victims. Prompt sensitisations from meteorological stations will help reduce the negative impact of flooding on households.