Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement faced severe flooding due to unusual heavy rains, disrupting residents’ lives, particularly children missing school. Community members expressed the need for improved infrastructure to address their challenges. The Swakopmund Municipality has plans for land and housing improvements by 2025 as a response to these ongoing issues.
On Wednesday, Swakopmund experienced unusually heavy rains, severely affecting the DRC informal settlement. Residents faced significant challenges, with many spending the day attempting to protect their homes from flooding. Caroline Kasenda, a local resident, stated that children missed school to address household issues, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure in the area.
Kasenda expressed her concerns, emphasizing that the current situation is dire for the community: “It does not matter how perfect, a shack is just a shack… We hope the government turns to look after the people of DRC this year because, as things are going, it’s not really good.”
Jacqueline !Gorases, who operates Ubuntu Safe Haven Soup Kitchen in the DRC, reported that many residents were struggling to repair their leaking roofs amidst the downpour. She noted the emotional toll the rain had taken on the community, with people expressing frustration over the unexpected intensity of the rainfall.
She raised a critical safety concern regarding the potential dangers posed by water seeping into electrical systems, stating, “There’s no safety measures for this water.” Residents in informal housing are typically prepared for fog rather than rain, and their shacks are often inadequately equipped to handle heavy precipitation.
Despite these challenges, there remains a sense of hope among residents. !Gorases remarked about anticipating sunny weather to facilitate drying out their belongings, adding, “But it’s beautiful though. At the end of the day, it’s beautiful.” The Swakopmund Municipality has acknowledged these issues, referencing their ongoing plans for land and housing improvements as part of their 2025 vision.
In summary, the recent heavy rains have significantly impacted the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund, causing damage to homes and disrupting daily life. Residents like Caroline Kasenda and Jacqueline !Gorases have expressed their urgent need for better infrastructure and safety measures. While the situation is challenging, the community remains hopeful for improvement and governmental support in the future. The Municipality’s ongoing plans for affordable housing aim to address these critical issues by 2025.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
