Introduction
Natural disasters like floods, fires, storms, and disease outbreaks hit hardest in places least prepared to withstand them—informal settlements. Densely populated, underserved, and often excluded from formal disaster planning, these communities face severe disruption and long recovery times after disasters occur.
At Neftaly (South African Youth Project), we recognise that recovery is not just about rebuilding—it’s about building back better, stronger, and safer. Our approach focuses on empowering communities to lead their own recovery and develop long-term resilience to future disasters.
Understanding the Impact on Informal Settlements
Informal settlements are often:
- Located in high-risk areas like floodplains, steep slopes, or industrial zones
- Constructed with inadequate materials and limited infrastructure
- Characterised by poverty, unemployment, and overcrowding
- Excluded from formal disaster response and recovery systems
When a disaster strikes, the effects are devastating:
- Homes and possessions are destroyed
- Access to clean water, electricity, and sanitation is lost
- Schools and clinics are disrupted
- Families are displaced and livelihoods halted
- Psychological trauma spreads, especially among children
Neftaly’s Recovery and Resilience Framework
Neftaly’s model of post-disaster support goes beyond emergency relief. It promotes community-led recovery and invests in long-term safety through three strategic pillars:
1. Immediate Relief and Rapid Response
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, Neftaly works with local partners and trained community responders to:
- Distribute emergency relief (food, blankets, water, hygiene supplies)
- Set up temporary shelters and safe spaces
- Provide first aid, trauma support, and psychosocial services
- Reconnect families with schools, clinics, and other essential services
Neftaly also activates local communication networks to relay accurate information and coordinate support efficiently.
2. Community-Led Recovery Planning
Neftaly empowers affected communities to lead their own recovery by:
- Facilitating community meetings to assess needs and priorities
- Supporting residents in rebuilding safer, more resilient homes
- Restoring vital services like water points, drainage systems, and pathways
- Promoting access to social protection and livelihoods support
Recovery planning is inclusive and participatory, involving women, youth, persons with disabilities, and local leaders.
3. Building Long-Term Resilience
To prevent repeated devastation, Neftaly focuses on building resilience by:
- Training communities in disaster risk reduction and preparedness
- Helping to establish or strengthen Community Disaster Committees
- Promoting safe building practices, fire prevention, and drainage maintenance
- Encouraging savings groups, social cohesion, and local leadership
- Supporting early warning systems and household preparedness plans
The goal is to ensure that the next disaster has less impact, shorter recovery time, and fewer casualties.
Real-World Impact: Post-Flood Resilience in KwaZulu-Natal
After severe flooding hit parts of KwaZulu-Natal in 2024, Neftaly worked with community volunteers to:
- Provide emergency supplies to over 1,000 families
- Rehabilitate shared infrastructure like walkways and drainage ditches
- Launch fire safety and flood prevention workshops
- Rebuild informal learning spaces and re-enroll children in schools
Today, the area has a trained youth disaster response team and a community-led emergency plan, making it more prepared and united than ever before.
Key Elements of a Resilient Recovery
- Community Ownership – Residents must lead and shape their own recovery
- Inclusive Engagement – Everyone, including vulnerable groups, must have a voice
- Integrated Support – Link recovery efforts with housing, education, health, and livelihoods
- Knowledge Sharing – Learn from past disasters to build smarter responses
- Sustainability – Rebuild with safer materials and stronger systems to reduce future risk
Neftaly’s Recommendations for Post-Disaster Interventions
To build safety and resilience in informal settlements after disasters, Neftaly calls for:
- Formal recognition of informal settlements in municipal recovery frameworks
- Increased funding for community-based rebuilding and risk reduction
- Stronger coordination between government, NGOs, and local communities
- Training for local emergency response teams and volunteers
- Investment in resilient infrastructure suited for high-risk environments
Conclusion
Recovery in informal settlements cannot be temporary. It must be transformational. Neftaly believes that true recovery means not just restoring what was lost, but improving what existed—so communities are safer, stronger, and better prepared for what comes next.
By centering the voices and leadership of residents, Neftaly is helping build a future where informal settlements are not disaster zones—but resilient, thriving communities.