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File image: An informal settlement in South Africa.
The human rights organisation, Amnesty International South Africa, has raised the alarm over the country’s lack of access to essential services in informal settlements. It has launched its latest report titled “Flooded and forgotten: Informal Settlements and the Right to Housing in South Africa”.
[WATCH] Some frustrated residents of a number of informal settlements, including Chris Hani Park, Tambo Square, and Marikana in Kimberley, protested against Sol Plaatje Municipality, demanding better service delivery. They accused the municipality of failing to address their… pic.twitter.com/X3jzS2F7Uh
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[WATCH] Relief efforts are under way in the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban after a fire claimed two lives and left hundreds homeless. SABC News reporter Ayanda Mhlongo speaks to Human Settlements spokesperson Ndabe Sibiya. pic.twitter.com/1X85v4VPr0
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In the report, the group examines the devastating impact of floods on vulnerable communities.
The report also calls on government to urgently fulfil its housing constitutional obligations.
“I think what we’re seeing is that because the state does not take action. Once a flooding has taken place, the state does not do something to make these communities flood resistant. Another factor is climate change. We’ve seen a change in the weather patterns, we have also seen extreme weather conditions such as floods. We’ve seen things happening within the weather space that has also exacerbated the situation that is being faced by people who are already facing difficult living conditions,” says Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed.
RELATED VIDEO | Sol Plaatje Municipality | Residents demand better service delivery
Meanwhile, some people who attended the launch of the report have welcomed it while others have expressed frustration.
Sophie Ntsubulane, who lives in the Drieziek informal settlement, says those who are in power have forgotten them.
“The living conditions in Orange Farm are very bad, especially when it’s flooding. We live in shacks and we have kids. When there is a flood, our homes are swept by the rain. People are suffering and we are unemployed. So, when our kids get sick we can’t afford to take them to a healthcare facility and this kills our mentality because we end up being frustrated (sic),” says Ntsubulane.
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