Vulnerability reduction in the advent of natural disasters

For more detailed information contact DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP France B.P. 13, 82110 Lauzerte, France
Tel:
(33) 563 95 82 34
Fax:
(33) 563 95 82 42

Vulnerability reduction in the advent of natural disasters

Much of the damage that occurs in disasters results from lack of action to reduce vulnerability before the disaster happens. Practical precautions to safeguard property are often insufficient, whilst in many cases damage prevention can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of rebuilding. Post disaster rehabilitation equally not only needs to address rebuilding, but to address greater safety before the arrival of the next disaster.

DW works with communities and local organisations to strengthen their capacity to resolve recovery, rehabilitation and development problems. Wherever possible even in post disaster conditions, DW works to promote lasting actions and skills that meet both immediate needs and provide the basis for sustained and durable development with available resources. Training is central to most DW programmes, focused on issues identified with local partners and communities.

Reconstruction, rehabilitation and risk reduction

In the context of natural and man made disasters, DW's approach focuses at three levels:

reconstruction through guidance and technical support ·
rehabilitation of existing shelter and infrastructure whether damaged by war or natural causes, through training and hands-on demonstration ·
risk reduction and damage prevention through the promotion of good planning and the application of sound techniques to resist future disasters

25 years' practical support and experience

DW has undertaken pre- and post disaster programmes in many countries: ·

Cyclone damage prevention programmes in central and northern Vietnam; ·
Long term shelter assistance strategies for local agencies and communities in flood and storm disasters in Bangladesh; ·
Post earthquake reconstruction and damage risk reduction in Iran, Guinea, Afghanistan and Pakistan; ·
Post war infrastructure rehabilitation in Angola, through training and support to local NGO's and CBO's;
Water supply and sanitation training and implementation programmes in Angola, Vietnam and Pakistan. ·
Environmental resource management, training builders to work with available resources in the Sahel.

Current and recent programmes 1998/99

Vietnam - Developing local capacity to reduce typhoon damage to housing and infrastructure in Central Vietnam. A three year programme funded by CIDA IHA, started in 1999. This renews DW's involvement in vulnerability reduction and rural development in central and northern Vietnam, dating back to 1989. Click here to view an article on Typhoon Resistant Building in Vietnam

Afghanistan - Assisting post earthquake shelter rehabilitation in collaboration with the french NGO, ACTED, staring in 1998. DW has provided technical expertise in restructuring and developing the reconstrutcion process with a stronger orientation to using local skills and building practices that can be sustained.

Nicaragua - Assessing rehabilitation priorities and approaches for the people of the Rio Coco region of Nicaragua, based on promoting a local resource based rehabiliataion approach. Filed missions in 1999.

The World Habitat Award 1998 has been presented by the Building and Social Housing Foundation (B+SHF) to Development Workshop for its role in the
'Promotion of Woodless Construction in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger'.

THE 1998 WORLD HABITAT AWARD - INFORMATION HERE

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