Three years after devastating floods, hundreds of families in eThekwini, South Africa, remain in temporary housing as permanent homes promised to them have not been built.
In the wake of floods that destroyed homes in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, hundreds of families are still living in emergency accommodation provided by the eThekwini municipality, three years later. Initially, these families were promised temporary shelter only for six months, but unfortunately, construction of permanent homes has not commenced, leaving the displaced residents in a state of uncertainty. The cost incurred by the municipality for housing these families has reached at least R120-million since the disaster, highlighting the financial burden on local authorities to address the housing crisis.
As the provincial government rushes to respond to more recent storms, the plight of these families underscores the ongoing challenges of disaster management and recovery in South Africa. The promise of permanent housing has not materialized, leading to frustrations and desperation among the affected residents. They voiced their concerns regarding their living situation, which has extended longer than anticipated, leading to a sense of being forgotten by authorities amidst ongoing recovery efforts.
This situation raises important questions about the preparedness of local councils to manage the implications of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. As the eThekwini municipality grapples with these challenges, it is imperative that the government prioritizes building the homes as promised and ensuring that families are not left in limbo after disasters. The long-term consequences of this situation could exacerbate social issues if not addressed promptly, stressing the need for effective disaster response and planning in South Africa.
