Tearfund Disaster Management Key Learning
Shelter
Last Updated: 15 November 2009
Specific actionable recommendations and relevant background information
1
When planning temporary shelter projects, include the materials which
will be needed for long term housing as much as possible
Source of Learning:
Kashmir / Pakistan
Background Information:
Materials that are provided for emergency/transitional shelter often end up being used for
reconstruction of permanent homes. Therefore, it makes sense to plan and design the project
assuming that the end use of emergency materials (eg. roofing material, wood etc) will be long
term housing, and maximise the long term impact and benefit. In the case of the Pakistan,
Kashmir response, a number of partners found this to be the case in their emergency shelter
projects. The situation is often reinforced when there are delays in the project - delays in
approval, securing funding or purchase and distribution of materials, which mean that projects
intended for short term emergency assistance may end up occurring in the recovery phase.
2
Closely monitor the construction work when sub-contracting
Source of Learning:
Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Other
Background Information:
Many projects have experienced difficulties and frustrations when sub-contracting the
construction work to a contractor – in terms of slow time frames, not meeting project deadlines
and in quality, with the contractor seeking short cuts (eg. quality of concrete). Some teams have
preferred to undertake the construction work directly for these reasons, although this requires
strong technical capacity. If sub-contracting to others the main lessons learnt are to ensure that
contract wording allows for action to be taken if the contractor is failing to deliver, and to monitor
the work on site very closely to ensure that no short cuts are taken.
3
Include earthquake resilience in building design in any locations
vulnerable to seismic activity
Source of Learning:
Indonesia, DRC, Other
Background Information:
In countries such as Indonesia and DRC, more could have been done in the early stages of the
construction projects to agree the seismic resilience within the design of buildings being
constructed. It may be that construction laws and codes exist which need to be followed or
exceeded, but in their absence a project needs to consider what is the appropriate technical
design, considering cost, appropriateness etc. It is a simple way to incorporate Disaster Risk
Reduction thinking into construction projects.
4
Find alternatives to using burnt bricks for construction
Source of Learning:
Darfur / Sudan, South Sudan
Background Information:
In many construction projects (houses, schools, etc) teams have had to use burnt bricks as these
are the most commonly used building materials in the area, despite the huge environmental
impact from use of wood when firing the bricks. However the alternatives are often limited, based
on cost (e.. the use of cement to make concrete blocks), preference (unfamiliar alternative
materials) or time limitations (deadlines to complete the work making it difficult to trial alternative
approaches). Some have tried rammed earth bricks or stabilised soil blocks, and initial results
appear promising.
5
Make sure all construction has documented plans
Source of Learning:
DRC, Other
Background Information:
Detailed plans for all construction should be included in project documents even if not necessary
for the donor, so that we can build up documented learning on what worked well and have the
plans to replicate them. Plans should show the different standards used (SPHERE, Government
etc.). Include seismic tests and structural analysis when appropriate.
6
Involve the community at all stages of construction
Source of Learning:
Various
Background Information:
On construction projects where the staff and community leaders have been well motivated the
projects have worked well and have been very much appreciated by the community. Build strong
relationship with community and include local community organisations in the process. Ensure
that field monitors know or learn the local culture. One method that has worked well is to
organise the community into sector groups, but don’t go faster than the groups; allow the pace to
be set by the community groups.
7
Beneficiaries should be fully involved (women as well as men) in the
design and construction process of new houses and untested,
sophisticated building technologies should not be used
Source of Learning:
Gujarat, following 2001 earthquake; also Latur earthquake, S.India 1994
Background Information:
Following the Latur earthquake, much reconstruction was undertaken using innovative methods,
without consulting beneficiaries over design. The result was cracking of the buildings during
subsequent (minor) earthquakes, and recipients of houses renting out the new structures, whilst
they constructed (weaker) houses on or near the original sites.
After the Gujarat earthquake, some discussions took place over house design, but evaluators
found that some aspects had been overlooked, particularly regarding kitchens – e.g. smoke
outlets and height of built-in shelves. New roof designs were used, which were apparently
earthquake resistant, but leaked heavily during rainfall; expensive remedial work was needed.