Democratic Resettlement Community

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]

Democratic Resettlement Community (DRC), a slum area of Swakopmund

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
  1. Swakop’s DRC to provide for youth Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine 13 October 2009, The Namibian
  2. A Glimpse of Multiethnic Culture in Namibia Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine February 15, 2008, PeaceBoat.org
  3. 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.
  4. de Kerk, Eveline (22 October 2019). "Food bank comes to Swakop". New Era. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  5. 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.

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