People displaced by climate-related disasters in Zimbabwe say they fear eviction as authorities intensify efforts to remove residents from informal settlements.
Many of the affected families were forced to leave their original homes because of droughts, floods, crop failures, and other climate-related challenges. After relocating to urban and peri-urban areas in search of safety and livelihoods, they now face the possibility of being removed from the communities where they have settled.
Residents say the crackdown has created uncertainty and anxiety, with some families worried they could lose both their homes and sources of income. Human rights groups argue that many of those affected have few alternatives and require protection rather than displacement.
Government officials maintain that the operations are intended to address illegal settlements, improve urban planning, and ensure compliance with land-use regulations. Authorities say the measures are not specifically targeting climate migrants.
Aid organizations and environmental experts warn that climate change is likely to increase internal migration across southern Africa, placing additional pressure on cities and local resources.
They have called for long-term policies that address both climate adaptation and the needs of displaced communities, arguing that sustainable solutions are needed to prevent vulnerable populations from facing repeated displacement.
The situation highlights the growing link between climate change, migration, housing, and social policy in countries increasingly affected by extreme weather events.