ADVERSITIES AND COPPING MECHANISMS OF SLUM AREA RESIDENTS IN GONDAR CITY; NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The expansion of slum areas have been one of the critical challenges manifested with the rapid urbanization of the global south countries. As one of the metropolitan cities in Ethiopia, Gondar city experienced this problem for long time. This study aimed at investigating the adversities related to physical environment, means of survival, health situation and social network of residents in Gojjo sefer slum area in Gondar city. Qualitative phenomenological research design was employed to understand the real life experience of slum dweller in the study area. A total of 35 participants were purposively recruited in the study area. Accordingly, data was collected by in-depth interview, key informant interview and field observation. The findings show that, congested and poorly constructed housing, inadequate infrastructure and poor social service provision characterize the area. Most of the dwellers are immigrants from rural area. They have being suffered from varieties of problems such as low income, lack of health care services and are exposed to frequent disease such as diarrhea, fever and chronic illnesses. As copping strategy, dwellers in this area are mainly engaged in petty economic activities-small and informal business, daily labor, street vending and paid domestic works. Thus, the local government and nongovernmental organization should intervene to the area with appropriate urban planning and sustainable livelihood strategies.