Post-disaster emergency and reconstruction experiences in Asia and Latin America: an assessment

Abstract

From United Nations emergency responses involving tent camps, to the reconstruction approach of FUNDASAL in El Salvador and the post-disaster provision of housing by Caritas in Asia, it is clear that a giant step has been taken in thinking about emergency shelter, as well as about how prevention and reconstruction are managed. This article evaluates some current good practices in Asia and Latin America in post-disaster emergency shelter that use local skills, materials, and tools, and participatory processes.

Expériences de situations d’urgence post-catastrophe et de reconstruction en Asie et en Amérique latine: une évaluation

Des interventions onusiennes en situation d’urgence au moyen de camps constitués de tentes à l’approche de la reconstruction mise en œuvre par FUNDASAL au Salvador et celle du logement suivie par Caritas en Asie, il est évident qu’un pas de géant a été effectué dans la réflexion sur les abris en situation d’urgence ainsi que sur la façon dont la prévention et la reconstruction sont gérées. Cet article évalue certaines bonnes pratiques actuelles en Asie et en Amérique latine dans les abris d’urgence post-catastrophe qui ont recours aux compétences, matériaux et outils locaux et à des processus participatifs.

Experiências de emergência e reconstrução pós-desastre na Ásia e América Latina: uma avaliação

A partir das respostas de emergência das Nações Unidas envolvendo campos com tendas, até a abordagem de reconstrução da FUNDASAL em El Salvador e de moradia da Caritas na Ásia, está claro que um grande passo foi tomado em relação à ideia sobre abrigos de emergência e também sobre como a prevenção e reconstrução são gerenciadas. Este artigo avalia algumas boas práticas atuais na Ásia e América Latina em abrigos de emergência após desastre que utilizam habilidades locais, materiais e ferramentas e processos participativos.

Una evaluación de las acciones ante la emergencia y la reconstrucción posdesastre en Asia y América Latina

Trátese de las acciones emergentes de la ONU en campamentos provisionales, o de la metodología de reconstrucción de FUNDASAL en El Salvador, o de las viviendas financiadas por Caritas en Asia, es evidente que el concepto de albergue de emergencia y la manera de administrar la prevención y la reconstrucción han cambiado mucho. Este ensayo analiza experiencias actuales en albergues de emergencia de Asia y América Latina, en la fase posdesastre, donde se utilizan habilidades, materiales y herramientas locales, y procesos participativos.

Keywords:

• Aid
• Environment
• Methods
• East Asia
• South Asia
• Latin America and the Caribbean

Acknowledgements

This research received support from COFAA in the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico. Thanks also to the Building Housing Social Foundation in London, who made possible a study visit to FUNDASAL in El Salvador.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joel F. Audefroy

Joel F. Audefroy is a research professor in the ESIA-Tecamachalco of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico and Adviser to Habitat International Coalition in Latin America (HIC-AL). He holds a doctorate in Ethnology from the University of Paris VII and a DPLG in Architecture from the School of ENSBA, also in Paris. He has written several books and papers in the field of low-cost housing and urban studies.