To alleviate the excruciating hardship associated with mass demolition campaigns, Spaces for Change|S4C and the Communities Alliance Against Displacement (CAD) distributed relief materials to victims of forced displacement in Otto, Ifeoluwa, Ifesowapo, and Toluwani communities in Lagos Mainland Local Government, Ebutte Metta West, Lagos State. The relief items distributed on July 17 to hundreds of homeless evictees targeted nursing mothers and children who are at heightened risk of water-borne diseases and exposure to extreme weather conditions.

Massive slum clearance initiatives are so widespread across the city that the Lagos State Resilience Strategy 2020 lists forced eviction as one of the major shocks affecting Lagos’ resilience. S4C-CAD’s humanitarian intervention became necessary following the recent demolitions in the four informal communities, beginning on March 22, 2024, which forcibly evicted hundreds of residents, stripping them of their homes, livelihoods, and essential resources. The resulting displacement left families vulnerable to health risks and exposed to harsh living conditions. In solidarity with the evictees, S4C and CAD have been leading advocacy for compensation, resettlement and housing justice for the displaced urban poor in Lagos.

While humanitarian assistance provides temporary succor, the government has the ultimate responsibility to safeguard citizens’ social and economic rights, including providing access to decent shelter. That is why S4C continues to push for policy reforms to prevent forced evictions, promote inclusive urban development, and enhance collaboration between civil society, government, and communities.