The Democratic Resettlement Community (DRC) is an informal settlement in Swakopmund, Erongo Region, Namibia.[1] It was founded in 2001 as a temporary resettlement community for people waiting for subsidized housing in the city and was built mostly of reclaimed garbage from the city landfill.[2] The materials included corrugated metal, wood, canvas and plastic.[3]
In 2015, the population was estimated to be around 20,000. There is no electricity and no sanitation. The running water came from one tap, installed in 2012.[3] Inhabitants found employment working menial jobs in Swakopmund.[3]
By 2019, the Swakopmund municipality had spent over N$200 million on facilities at the DRC.[4] The government food program was supplying families with food packages.[5] The DRC includes a youth development and community centre, a clinic and laboratory, and a hostel for orphans.[1] The Dantago Arts and Craft centre was built by the residents using recycled plastic materials, such as bottles, combined with cement.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Swakop’s DRC to provide for youth Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine 13 October 2009, The Namibian
- ^ A Glimpse of Multiethnic Culture in Namibia Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine February 15, 2008, PeaceBoat.org
- ^ a b c Links, Anya (2015). "In limbo in the desert". Sister Namibia. 27 (1): 20–21.
- ^ Hartman, Adam (20 December 2019). "Green Valley 'planted' in the desert". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ de Kerk, Eveline (22 October 2019). "Food bank comes to Swakop". New Era. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ Niilenge, Taati (24 April 2019). "Turning plastic waste into building materials". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
22°38′44″S 14°33′56″E / 22.6456°S 14.5656°E
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