Page 43 - Research Report 2025.1

Non-compliance with Building Regulations
Non-compliance with building regulations was another institutional failure that increases vulnerability in Alfred Nzo District. Participant 4 and Participant 7 both observed that many homes are built without following proper building codes, often using inadequate materials like mud. These substandard constructions are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events like heavy rains, resulting in the destruction of homes and the displacement of residents. Participant 7 further explained that this issue is particularly severe in low-income areas, where communities lack the financial resources to construct resilient housing.This non-compliance leaves communities exposed to further risks and highlights the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations to reduce vulnerabilities.
Lack of interest from the public
Participant 4
“If you build without a building plan, you do as you wish. By the time of pandemics and disasters, you are greatly affected. And all that, unfortunately, goes back to the same pocket of government.”
Participant 7
“That’s the issue. To major an issue. What I say, heavy winds, you know, because of this low social economic standard, people are vulnerable because the way they build they build, in contravening, the building codes, they build using mud houses, which are very then vulnerable to heavy rains. So that’s why
in each and every, summer season, when there’s heavy rains, I know that we’ll receive a call that some houses have collapsed because of that.”
The disinterest of the public in governance and disaster preparedness processes compounds institutional vulnerabilities. Participant 1 mentioned that community members often disengage from important consultations unless there are tangible incentives, like food vouchers. This disengagement reduces the community’s capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters. Building resilience requires collective action, and when communities are not involved in governance or disaster planning, they remain more susceptible to the impacts of emergencies..
Participant 1
“But if you go to, Icommunities with elderly people and the youth, they’re not interested if you’re not bringing the food vouchers and things like that”.
Participant 7
I’m saying here the main one is socioeconomic status. The people in this area are very poor because of the low-income levels. And the other issue becomes secondary. That’s
the issue. To major an issue. What I say, heavy winds, you know, because of this low social economic standard, people are vulnerable because the way they build they build, in contravening, the building codes, they build using mud houses, which are very then vulnerable to heavy rains. So that’s why in each and every, summer season, when there’s heavy rains, I know that we’ll receive a call that some houses have collapsed because of that.
Low Socio-economic status
The low socio-economic status of many residents was repeatedly highlighted by Participant 7, who argued that poverty and inadequate living conditions increase vulnerability to disasters. The use of inadequate materials for housing, such as mud, makes homes especially vulnerable to collapse during heavy rains.
Exploitation during Crisis Response
Exploitation of vulnerable populations during crises, particularly in the form of inflated prices for essential goods, was raised by Participant 4. During the COVID-19 pandemic, essential goods like food and water were sold at exorbitant prices, taking advantage
of the desperation of affected communities. This exploitation, coupled with exploitative microfinance schemes, further deepened the financial challenges of low-income families, trapping them in debt and worsening their vulnerability.
Participant 4
“I, just delved into the COVID era. The COVID era, it shows it showed us flames. There were things that we thought we knew, but we didn’t know exactly. Like, there there there are people who donate food stuffs to the vulnerable groups. And you you you find out that this food is either rotten.
There are there are persons who are going to take advantage of the situation. If I buy this bottle of water and and I’m going to give it to people, when I buy it from the store, it will be R20. But when I buy it from a person who is saying to be supporting government, it’s going to be to be R200, which means the vulnerability is there along the way
Microfinance is where you get to be financed, but you are billed... you borrow 10,000, and you repay 40,000. So it’s not microfinancing; it’s siphoning finance from these people.”
Limited Access to Clean Water
Participant 6 pointed out that limited access to clean water remains a critical issue in certain wards, exacerbating vulnerability to health crises such as cholera outbreaks. Inadequate water infrastructure leaves communities exposed to water-borne diseases, compounding the challenges they face during disasters. Without access to clean water, communities are more susceptible to disease outbreaks, further straining health systems and hindering recovery efforts during crises.
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