The World Bank

Handbook for Post-Disaster Housing and Community Reconstruction

Jennifer Duyne Barenstein , WHRU, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland

Shelter Meeting 9a, Geneva, 7-8 May 2009

Objectives of Handbook

Assist Bank staff engaged in large-scale post-disaster housing reconstruction programs -- and the Bank’s counterparts in government -- to make decisions about post-disaster policies and programs.

Consolidate experiences, good and bad, from various types of disasters. Identify emerging good practice.

Harmonize thinking with others working in the housing and community reconstruction field (bilateral agencies, NGOs).

Objectives of Handbook

Create a community of practice in post-disaster housing and community reconstruction through consultation process and establishing related website (July 2009): www.housingreconstruction.org

Focus attention on how disaster risk reduction and prevention activities can reduce the need for housing reconstruction or improve its efficiency.

Handbook overview

GUIDING PRINCIPLESPART 1: RECONSTRUCTION TASKS AND HOW TO UNDERTAKE THEM

Section 1: Assessing Impact and Defining Reconstruction Policy Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Who Gets a House? Social Dimension of

Housing Reconstruction To Resettle or Not to Resettle Reconstruction Approaches

Handbook overview

Section 2: Planning

ReconstructionLand Use and Physical Planning Infrastructure and Services DeliveryEnvironmental PlanningHousing Design and Construction Technology

Cultural Heritage Conservation

Handbook overview

Section 3 Project Implementation Institutional Options for Reconstruction

Management Effective Donor Coordination and

Partnerships Managing the Financial Aspects of

Reconstruction  Section 4 Monitoring and

Information Management Social Communication in Post-Disaster

Reconstruction Information and Communications

Technology in Reconstruction Monitoring and Evaluation

Handbook overview

PART 2 CROSS-CUTTING

ISSUES IN

RECONSTRUCTION

The Context of a Reconstruction Project Community Participation Compensation and Household Finances Mitigating the Risk of Corruption Training Requirements in Reconstruction

Handbook overview

  PART 3: INFORMATION FOR WORLD BANK STAFF World Bank Response to Crises and Emergencies Safeguard Policies for Post-Disaster Operations Financial Management in WB Housing Reconstruction

Projects Procurement Procedures in WB Housing

Reconstruction Projects

Handbook overview

PART 4 TECHNICAL REFERENCES Principles of Disaster Risk Management Glossary Index

Why does the World Bank and its Counterparts need a Handbook for post-disaster reconstruction ?

Housing typically accounts for 50 percent or more of damage and losses after disasters;

Amounts are rising due to severity of disasters, population growth and urbanization, informal settlement patterns

More than 95 percent of all deaths caused by disasters occur in developing countries; and losses due to natural disasters are 20 times greater (as a percentage of GDP) in developing countries than in industrialized countries

In spite of important role of non-governmental humanitarian agencies in large-scale disasters, governments generally have a leading role in housing reconstruction in particular with defining policies

Governments have the responsibility to ensure equitable and sustainable reconstruction

Governments often take loan from the to finance recnstruction World Bank

Since 1980, the World Bank has approved more than 500 operations related to disaster management, amounting to more than US$40 billion.

Why does the World Bank and its Counterparts need a Handbook for post-disaster reconstruction ?

Reducing the factors that contribute to disaster impacts falls squarely within the World Bank’s mandate and often in existing areas of government/Bank collaboration: Urban development, local planning and management practices Housing sector and local infrastructure policy and finance Environment, forestry and floodplain management Economic incentives for risk reduction (insurance, building

codes)

Disasters and the threat of disasters are dampening economic growth, especially in “hot-spot” countries

Challenges in Developing Handbook

Scope of issues to be covered (from assessment to resettlement; from community participation to housing materials and technologies, many more)

Lack of rigorous analysis and consolidation of worldwide reconstruction experience, including urban reconstruction

Fierce debate on many key issues (resettlement, use of vernacular housing technologies, reconstruction approach, compensation schemes), including within the World Bank

Challenges in Reconstruction Process

Similar challenges in different countries and disasters, but solutions are unique. Handbook tries to focus on options whenever possible.

Lack of preparation and anticipatory policy-making – compensation schemes, research on improved traditional housing construction methods, land administration systems, record-keeping. Result is having to make too many decisions and gather baseline information, under difficult post-disaster conditions. Handbook may serve as warning to users.

Challenges in Reconstruction Process

Coordination of interventions and challenge of harmonizing response (government/NGO, central/local government).

Avoiding disparities in assistance among those affected and between those affected and not affected.

Risk reduction in reconstruction. People reconstruct on their own schedule and in their own way.

Challenges in Reconstruction Process

Reconstruction takes more time that government or donors want to admit. Money often runs out – reconstruction is poor cousin of humanitarian response.

The transition between emergency sheltering, transitional shelter, and permanent housing solutions. Avoiding disempowering the affected population and making early decisions that preclude good solutions later.

Challenges in Reconstruction Process

Involving affected community in substantive decisions.

Long-term economic effect of disasters on families.

Preserving community and livelihoods in reconstruction and resettlement.

Trying to overcome development problems in reconstruction not fully addressed in normal times.

Next Steps

Taking comments through May 15 at www.tcgillc.com/pdhh.html

“Final” handbook (August/September 2009) Development of “Field Guide”–executive summary by

chapter (August/September 2009) Handbook web site www.housingreconstruction.org (July

2009) Ongoing feedback and updating Specific studies related to findings and feedback from

users Use of handbook in Bank/country dialogue and

programming (lending and technical assistance)

This project is being carried out by a consortium composed of:

Thank you for your attention!