Flood risk studies remain focused on understanding causation, impacts, perceptions and coping and adaptation measures and there remain many inappropriate measures taken to reduce household risk. Through a case study approach, this study assessed rural household vulnerability to flooding which helped to determine the level of risk to flood hazards in Mbire District of Zimbabwe. Three hundred and thirty-five (335) households were randomly selected to participate in the survey. The composite index approach was used to calculate vulnerability and risk indices. Results indicated that more than 70% of the households were highly vulnerable to flooding and about 50% were in the medium to very high categories of flood risk. Household vulnerability was not only a question of the natural flood event, but a result of the intersection of poor socio-economic conditions and the physical exposure to floods. The socio-economic determinants of vulnerability included high levels of unemployment resulting in low income and poverty; low levels of education; and over-dependence of the community on rain-fed smallholder farming. Physical exposure of the community mainly resulted from materials used to construct houses. Pole and dagga houses had a higher degree of exposure compared to houses with bricks and cement. Therefore, we recommend that instead of focusing on the whole ward/district the institutional services should first target the most vulnerable and at risk households in order to increase their capacity in dealing with flood hazards.

洪水风险研究仍然集中在理解因果关系，影响，看法以及应对和适应措施，并且仍然采取了许多不适当的措施来降低家庭风险。通过案例研究方法，本研究评估了农村家庭对洪水的脆弱性，这有助于确定津巴布韦姆比雷区的洪水灾害风险等级。随机选择了三百三十五（335）个家庭参加调查。综合指数法用于计算脆弱性和风险指数。结果表明，超过70％的家庭极易遭受洪水泛滥，而大约50％的家庭处于中等至非常高的洪水风险类别中。家庭脆弱性不仅是自然洪水事件的问题，但是由于社会经济条件恶劣和遭受洪灾而遭受的自然灾害相交的结果。脆弱性的社会经济决定因素包括高失业率导致低收入和贫困；教育水平低；以及社区对雨养小农耕作的过度依赖。社区的物理暴露主要来自用于建造房屋的材料。与带砖和水泥的房屋相比，波兰人和达加人的房屋暴露程度更高。因此，我们建议，机构服务不应只着眼于整个区/区，而应首先针对最脆弱和处于危险中的家庭，以提高其应对洪灾的能力。脆弱性的社会经济决定因素包括高失业率导致低收入和贫困；教育水平低；以及社区对雨养小农耕作的过度依赖。社区的物理暴露主要来自用于建造房屋的材料。与带砖和水泥的房屋相比，波兰人和达加人的房屋暴露程度更高。因此，我们建议，机构服务不应只着眼于整个区/区，而应首先针对最脆弱和处于危险中的家庭，以提高其应对洪灾的能力。脆弱性的社会经济决定因素包括高失业率导致低收入和贫困；教育水平低；以及社区对雨养小农耕作的过度依赖。社区的物理暴露主要来自用于建造房屋的材料。与带砖和水泥的房屋相比，波兰人和达加人的房屋暴露程度更高。因此，我们建议，机构服务不应只着眼于整个区/区，而应首先针对最脆弱和处于危险中的家庭，以提高其应对洪灾的能力。社区的物理暴露主要来自用于建造房屋的材料。与带砖和水泥的房屋相比，波兰人和达加人的房屋暴露程度更高。因此，我们建议，机构服务不应只着眼于整个区/区，而应首先针对最脆弱和处于危险中的家庭，以提高其应对洪灾的能力。社区的物理暴露主要来自用于建造房屋的材料。与带砖和水泥的房屋相比，波兰人和达加人的房屋暴露程度更高。因此，我们建议，机构服务不应只着眼于整个区/区，而应首先针对最脆弱和处于危险中的家庭，以提高其应对洪灾的能力。