Madam,
The heavy rains of the past few days have once again exposed the deep inequalities that persist across many communities. The report in your newspaper about the family of four who had to relocate after their stick and mud house collapsed is a painful reminder of conditions that no citizen should continue to endure.
While the deputy prime minister (DPM) has been handing over newly-built homes to vulnerable households, these efforts cannot hide the reality that many families still live in structures that are unsafe long before storms arrive. The loss suffered by this family is not an isolated event, but part of a pattern that repeats every rainy season.
Stick-and-mud houses are not only fragile, but a daily threat to the dignity and health of the people who occupy them. A home is meant to provide security, however, these structures crumble under moderate rainfall and offer little protection from the cold. Children breathe damp air, which worsens respiratory problems and families live in fear each time the weather forecast predicts more rain. No society can claim progress while people remain exposed to such conditions.
Government must address this challenge with urgency, because replacing a few homes each year cannot match the scale of need in rural areas. The DPM office’s housing support programme provides relief to selected households, but a long-term plan is required to eradicate stick and mud dwellings entirely. This should include proper assessments of vulnerable communities, clear timelines and coordination with local leadership so that families who live in the most dangerous structures are prioritised.
Land tenure issues also contribute to delays because some households are hesitant to rebuild without certainty over their plots. Addressing such administrative barriers would help speed up the transition to safe housing. Furthermore, basic infrastructure such as proper drainage and road access must accompany new homes so that communities do not remain trapped in environments where every heavy rain becomes a risk.
The recent rainfall has shown once again that climate patterns are shifting and extreme weather is becoming more frequent.
It is unfair for families who already face poverty to endure repeated losses simply because their homes were never built to withstand even moderate storms. Government has the capacity to ensure that no child sleeps in a house that collapses with every downpour and no parent has to rebuild walls of mud year after year.
Your report reminds us that dignity begins with a safe roof over one’s head. It is time for a comprehensive approach that brings an end to stick and mud houses, so every family can live without fear each time clouds gather.
The heavy rains of the past few days have once again exposed the deep inequalities that persist across many communities. (Pic: Shutterstock)
