The impact of spiraling informal settlements in the country cannot be ignored as one of the leading factors that are exacerbating climate change. Their increased vulnerability to climate change, the lack of resources, and ill preparedness for disaster further exacerbate the devastating impacts of climate change.
Unprecedented population increase, homes and other buildings infrastructure in urban area increases the exposure and vulnerability to floods, crime, and fires. A lack of basic needs and services leads to informal settlements having impacts on the environment.
A recent tour to Tembisa informal settlements by CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WORKSHOP delegates revealed that the informal settlement may have resulted from various factors that include rapid urbanization, lack of affordable housing and unequal distribution of resources and opportunities. Despite efforts made by the government to improve housing conditions and living standards, the informal settlement continues to grow due to high demand for housing and feasible alternatives.
The settlement is facing significant environmental injustices and human life as people are vulnerable to infectious disease. Poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, poor drainage systems, poor waste management, over population were major and identified as environmental issues. The observations were that the area is vulnerable to flooding, veld fires and diseases leading to loss of human and artech life.
Therefore, the CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WORKSHOP which included government stakeholders, different departments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), aimed to come up with solutions and mitigation to informal settlements and their impacts in the country.
The workshop proposed that the government should create mutual relationships with the people living in the informal settlements. This included coming up with realistic solutions tailor made to address the problems encountered, as well as empowering communities with agency and networking capacity on climate resilient human settlements. Furthermore, the workshop raised the need for active involvement of the communities in the planning and implementation processes as this would inspire a buy in from communities and increase the success of any endeavor made to address the problems encountered in the society. The plausible mitigatory measures suggested included building safe homes and settling people in safe places to preserve those ecosystems. Also, addressing vulnerable settlements that are settled in unsafe places.
The government should also consider establishing and the enforcement of strong intergovernmental and societal laws and the arrangement of informal settlements in the country. More so, there is need for the mobilisation of financial resources, creating free educational awareness campaigns on dangers of informal settlements, investing in natured based solutions, fighting mass and illegal migration from the neighboring countries were among recommendations made to the government to respond to climate change and informal settlements .
Author: Nozwelo Hadebe