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Study on the use of climate-related indigenous knowledge systems to support anticipatory action in Zimbabwe

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to deliver climate information to the local population through Anticipatory Action (AA). To strengthen the AA programme in Zimbabwe, it was found necessary to consider the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the AA decision-making processes. A fuller understanding of the current state of Indigenous Climate Services (ICS) in weather and seasonal climate forecasting amongst some of the targeted communities seemed essential before such an integration could be done. To address this need, this study was conducted in four districts where anticipatory action was to be implemented, namely: Mbire, Mudzi, Binga and Matobo in Zimbabwe. This study includes an overview of indigenous knowledge system indicators for climate forecasting in these districts, as well as key recommendations on using climate-related indigenous knowledge services to support anticipatory action in Zimbabwe.