Recovery and reconstruction
- Post-tsunami reconstruction After the 2004 tsunami, Practical Action worked with affected communities in Sri Lanka to reconst...
- Earthquake resistant housing Traditional ‘quincha’ building technology results in a flexible structure with an inherent earthq...
- Building back better The focus on reconstruction is turning to alternative, more participatory approaches
After natural disasters, conflicts or other crisis, it is vital to start thinking as early as possible about processes of reconstruction and recovery. The best approaches help communities emerge more resilient to future disasters.
Building back better
Practical Action encourages humanitarian agencies to embrace the goal of “building back better”. This means much more than just leaving people with stronger physical structures. It means helping families, communities, social networks and local markets emerge from crises more capable to cope and adapt to future threats.
To achieve this resilience people affected by disaster need as large a role as practicable in the decision-making and management of humanitarian resources. The processes of reconstruction planning and implementation often matter just as much as their outcomes. Putting crisis-survivors at the centre of these processes empowers them, strengthens their capabilities and confidence.
Early attention to recovery and reconstruction is also important. Decisions taken during the ‘emergency relief’ phase of disasters, can have a major impact later on the prospects for sustainable recovery of people’s livelihoods and communities.
Principles of 'building back better'
'Building back better' in practice
Reconstruction blog
Return to sender - address unknown
Return to Sender – address unknown
As the Elvis Presley song goes. Despite email, for most o...
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The road north to Kilinochchi
I’d done lots of reading and my conversations with local staff had painted in some detail. But I ...
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Shelter me - and I'll shelter you too
This week I have been researching shelter in Africa, namely Zimbabwe.
When I think of the word...
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