Page 44 - Research Report 2025.1

Participant 6
“Yeah. But equally so we have, especially in our areas, ward 2, ward 1. We have cholera. There’s another name I am looking for. Because if you go to the Sebeni Wards you will find that people still suffer from those diseases because of the lack of clean water., so it affects our people especially areas Siphethu hospital.”
Dependence on External Aid
The participants highlighted the community’s reliance on external aid, such as food donations and support from NGOs, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Participant 4 expressed concern about the quality and sustainability of this aid. For instance, during the pandemic, some food donations from individual were either rotten or of poor quality, which rendered them ineffective in providing meaningful support to vulnerable groups. Furthermore, Participant 4 questioned the sustainability of such external support, emphasizing the temporary nature of NGO aid and pointing out that NGOs “can’t be here forever.” This highlights a critical issue: while external aid provides immediate relief, it does not address the long-term needs of the community or contribute to building resilience.
Implications of the Results
Corruption and Its Implications for Vulnerability
Participant 4
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. So to me, what does it, how is it going to assist the person who is given this food? 1. 2, for how long will this person be supported? And how is this person going to sustain?
Then with NGOs, there are NGOs that are here that are supporting. But as I’m saying, they can’t be here forever.
The results of the study highlight several critical institutional challenges that exacerbate vulnerabilities in the Alfred Nzo District, and the implications of these challenges are profound for policy-making, institutional reforms, and community engagement. One of the most pressing issues is the widespread corruption that undermines the effectiveness of disaster management. Corruption prevents the efficient allocation of resources, delaying responses during crises and hindering the long-term development of disaster resilience in the region. Participants, such as Participant 1 and Participant 2, stressed that corruption stifles community transformation efforts. The implication here is that without serious anti-corruption measures, any progress toward strengthening disaster preparedness will be limited. There is a need for stronger accountability and transparency within local government systems. Implementing independent audits of disaster management funds and creating clearer transparency mechanisms for resource distribution can help rebuild trust and ensure resources reach the most vulnerable during times of crisis.
Lack of Proper Planning and Disaster Preparedness
A lack of proper disaster planning was another significant issue identified in the study, with Participant 1 emphasizing how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the region’s inability to respond effectively to emergencies. Local governments were not prepared, which left communities exposed to greater risk. This has serious implications for future disaster preparedness. Governments must adopt more comprehensive disaster management strategies, including early warning systems and risk assessments, to minimize future disaster impacts. Proactive planning is essential, including ensuring that emergency shelters and stockpiled supplies are available in high- risk areas. Additionally, regular disaster simulations and training for government officials, as well as community members, would help to ensure better coordination and response efforts. These steps are crucial to ensuring the resilience of municipalities in the face of recurring crises.
Non-Compliance with Building Regulations
The issue of non-compliance with building regulations, highlighted by Participant 4 and Participant 7, presents another major vulnerability in the region. Many houses are constructed without proper building plans, especially in low-income areas where residents often use substandard materials such as mud, leaving homes highly vulnerable to natural disasters. This leads to severe consequences, particularly during heavy rains and floods, when homes collapse or suffer significant damage. The implications of this are clear: governments must enforce stricter compliance with building codes to ensure that homes in disaster-prone areas are built to withstand environmental risks. Additionally, creating incentives for safe construction practices, such as offering subsidies for using disaster-resilient materials, could encourage more widespread adherence to building regulations. Investing in safer housing infrastructure would not only reduce vulnerability but also prevent long-term economic losses caused by repeated infrastructure failure during disasters.
Over-Legislation and Bureaucratic Inefficiencies
Over-legislation and bureaucratic inefficiencies were cited by several participants, including Participant 2, Participant 3, and Participant 6, as significant barriers to effective disaster response. Complex regulations and excessive procedural delays hinder the timely allocation of resources and complicate relief efforts, which creates a gap between what the community needs and what the local government can provide. The implications of these findings suggest that policy reforms must focus on streamlining bureaucratic processes, particularly in times of crisis. Simplifying the chain of command, reducing procedural delays, and empowering local officials to make decisions quickly during emergencies could enhance the speed and efficiency of disaster relief efforts. There is a need to balance necessary regulations with flexibility during times of emergency to ensure that relief can be delivered swiftly and efficiently.
42 | STUDY OBJECTIVE II