Case Studies

1. Shelter Reconstruction after the 2001, Gujarat Earthquake

Project name: - Training module on Safer Building Construction
Beneficiaries: - Earthquake affected communities of Kutch
Partner: - Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) - Kutch Craft Association (KCA)

After the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, India, on January 26, 2001, the Disaster Mitigation Institute (DMI) set its focus on community capacity building. It worked on developing posters for seismic-proof Safer Building-Constructions. These were written in Gujarati to help communities rebuild their shelter. These posters were disseminated to Government officials on different levels, NGOs and local CBOs like the Kutch Craft Association (KCA) and the Banaskantha DWCRA Mahila SEWA Association (BDMSA).

With the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), New Delhi, an organisation working on labour laws, organising and strengthening labour and their knowledge, DMI went onto develop a training-module on Safer Building-Construction for the Self Employed Women Association (SEWA). This module was developed to train the people from ten villages of the rural area of Kutch. The main objective of this project was to introduce the village leader, the KCA team and its members on Safer Building-Construction so that they could spread this knowledge to affected communities.

During the preparation phase of the course module, the DMI team worked to relate these recommendations to the use of local materials and mechanisms for shelter reconstruction. This method of using local resources and materials was environment friendly and culture sensitive..

To increase the capacity of local communities during the Safer Building-Construction Cycle, DMI had given trainings to engineers of local Community Based Organisations (CBOs) on Safer Building-Construction, as they worked at the grassroots-level and this enabled them to understand the traditions and needs of the affected people.

Consideration of Sphere Standards in this Project

Housing standard 2: Environmental impact
Giving shelter to disaster-affected people provokes a minimal negative impact on the local environment. Appropriate corrective measures can be taken if a negative impact is identified.

While making the course-module, we set the focus on using the local materials and mechanisms for the construction of shelter. The method of using local resources and materials doesn't disturb the environment of particular areas or has any impact harming the inhabitants of a particular area.

Capacity standard 2: Local capacity
Local skills and capacities are used and enhanced by shelter and site programmes.

The main objective of emphasising Safer Building-Construction is to strengthen the knowledge of local communities on Safer Building-Construction and the proper and adequate use of local resources with which the inhabitants can build their shelter on their own and as per their tradition.

Capacity standard 1: -Competence
Staff that has appropriate qualifications and experiences for the duties involved implements shelter and site interventions. These interventions are managed and supported adequately.

To increase the capacity of local communities in Safer Building-Construction, we trained some engineers of local Community Based Organisations (CBO's) on Safer Building-Construction, because they have been working very close with communities during a long period of time and this enables them to understand their traditions and needs. Also, they can easily pass the knowledge to communities and help them during the rehabilitation process.