Informal Settlement Communities as First Responders to Disasters: Covid-19 Pandemic Experiences in Harare

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated inequalities in cities, with informal settlements being the hardest hit. Relief efforts from governments, NGOs and the private sector have been provided, both locally and globally. But low-income residents of informal settlements face exclusion in developing cities, with many being left to deal with the crisis themselves. In Harare, Zimbabwe, residents of informal settlements are often left out of important decision making processes, due to the fact that these settlements are deemed illegal. They face a lack of access to basic services and minimal support from the government and local authorities, who prioritise formal, tax-paying residents. As a result, informal settlement communities are disproportionately affected by disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring them to act as first responders. However, a lack of meaningful community involvement, combined with inadequate basic services, has hindered their ability to effectively respond to the pandemic.