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As
the tsunamis swept across vast tracts of land around the Bay
of Bengal, they took with them virtually everything in their
path, including large, strongly built family homes and businesses.
Destruction in many affected regions, particularly close to
costal fringes, was almost total. Few dwellings were spared.
Millions of people were affected – hundreds of thousands
of people lost their homes. To provide shelter for such a large
displaced population presented a significant challenge for the
entire International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p13093)
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People left without adequate
shelter are exposed to increased hardship. Providing shelter
for such a large population required a rapid response and
a massive mobilisation of resources. From across the affected
counties and around the world, materials to provide temporary
shelter arrived. Although this aid can never replace the homes
and the memories contained within them, temporary shelter
provides one of the vital elements of disaster relief, beginning
the process of recovery from disaster for people who have
suffered greatly.
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation
(p12769)
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The reconstruction of
the houses destroyed by the tsunamis requires planning, coordination
and community consultation. It is vital that houses rebuilt
are located on land where ownership is established and that
the house designs reflect the affected population’s
needs. Because of this, temporary living centres, which are
often rapidly constructed in response to a natural disaster,
need to be comfortable and compliant with international standards.
While conditions in these centres are clearly not as comfortable
the homes they temporarily replace, they do provide shelter
for families while their new homes are being built.
Photo: International Federation
(p15112) |
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careful planning and discussions with affected communities,
the process of reconstruction of houses, schools and health
centres destroyed by the tsunamis is ready to begin. Of course,
the complete rehabilitation of affected communities will take
many years, and the International Federation has outlined
its plans for the region up until 2010. Nevertheless, as more
needs emerge, the Federation is in a strong position to assist
over a longer term, and to not only help communities rebuild
their lives, livelihoods and economies, but also to prepare
more thoroughly for the next emergency in this disaster-prone
region.
Photo: International Federation (p16949)
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| News |
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Video
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 22/05/2008
- Sri Lanka
Communities take charge of reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka
Thirty-eight-year-old Devika Fernando lost her home in the tsunami and had no choice but to live in a temporary shelter in Ratmalana, a suburb of the Sri Lankan capital Colombo. However, in October 2007 she moved with 18 other families to create a new settlement in Raigamuwata in the neighbouring district of Kalutara. The settlement is part of an owner-driven housing programme designed to provide cash grants and technical support to families rebuilding homes that were damaged or destroyed in the tsunami.
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Disaster management
