Santo Domingo.- Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic has highlighted that approximately 11.2% of the Dominican population resides in informal settlements, lacking access to basic necessities such as drinking water, electricity, and storm drainage systems.
Based on a previous study conducted by the United Nations, the information underscores the vulnerability faced by impoverished communities in the face of climate change and emphasizes the need for public policies to address these critical needs.
According to UN data, over one billion people worldwide live in slums and other informal settlements.
Cesarina Fabián, director of Habitat Dominican Republic, stated, “Informal slum dwellers play an incredibly important role in finding housing solutions for themselves. The right policies can remove barriers, accelerate these efforts, and open the door to a better future for many more people who deserve the chance to live in a safe home.”
In the Dominican Republic, homes in these settlements often lack access to water, electricity, and sanitation. They are situated on vulnerable land, frequently have dirt floors, and families often lack property rights to the land on which their houses are located. Additionally, these houses are typically constructed using poor-quality materials.
Fabián emphasized that the condition of informal or substandard housing represents an economic burden for the state and that such homes are most affected by the impacts of climate change.
Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic, along with its global partners, recently launched a five-year campaign called “Hogar es…” (Home Equals). The campaign aims to advocate for changes in national and global policies to improve access to adequate housing for those residing in informal settlements.
In the Dominican Republic, the organization has served approximately 201,640,000 individuals, providing over 40,328,000 housing solutions through tailored financial credits or the support of generous donors who contribute to this social cause.
On a global scale, Habitat for Humanity calls on G7 member states to recognize equitable access to housing as a fundamental driver of development. The organization urges these states to commit to addressing the housing needs in informal settlements as a means to advance international development priorities in areas such as economic growth, health, and education.