Impact of Heavy Rains on Swakopmund’s DRC Settlement: Residents Urge for Improvement

Heavy rains have severely affected the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund, with residents facing flooding, damaged homes, and infrastructure issues. Many children have missed school due to the situation, and residents have called for urgent improvements. The Swakopmund Municipality has acknowledged the need for better housing solutions as part of their future plans.

On Wednesday, heavy torrential rains severely impacted the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund, where residents were engaged in efforts to protect their homes against flooding. “The situation is very devastating,” stated Caroline Kasenda, a resident. Many children missed school due to the need to repair roofs and manage water accumulation within their homes, with concerns about navigating flooded streets.

Kasenda urged for immediate improvements to infrastructure: “…we hope that infrastructure really turns to be taken care of this year. 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, owner of Ubuntu Safe Haven Soup Kitchen, also shared her thoughts on the distress caused by the rain. She observed many people in her area attempting to fix leaking roofs amidst the downpour.

The harsh weather has been a source of great stress for residents, with many expressing anger over unexpected heavy rainfall, which they had not witnessed in many years. !Gorases raised concerns about potential electrical hazards due to the rain affecting power sources and highlighted the lack of drainage in the roads of Swakopmund.

Moreover, while many homes in the informal settlement are designed to keep out fog, they are not adequately equipped to handle significant rainfall, as the materials tend to degrade over time. Despite these challenges, !Gorases maintained a hopeful perspective: “…we are just praying for it to stop, for the sun. Because at the end of each rain, I know for a fact that it’s going to be really sunny.”

The Swakopmund Municipality has acknowledged the situation and indicated future plans addressing land and housing issues by 2025, committing to provide affordable housing solutions.

In summary, the recent heavy rains have caused significant distress within the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund, leading residents to face flooding challenges and infrastructure inadequacies. Calls for better facilities and urgent government intervention reflect the community’s struggles during this crisis. Authorities have confirmed ongoing efforts to improve housing conditions, emphasizing the importance of addressing these urgent needs.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na