Lessons Learnt from Major Post-Diaster Reconstruction Programs

1. Reconstruction After Disasters: Ten Lessons (Learnt The Hard Way) Abhas K. Jha, Regional Disaster Risk Management Coordinator, East Asia and the Pacific, The World Bank. AIDF, Washington DC July 22, 2010

2. 1. It’s Important. Up to 80 percent or more of damage to infrastructure after major disasters can be housing.

3. 2. It Takes Time. Be Prepared for the Long-Haul!

4. 3. Land Titles Often Are the Biggest Bottleneck …but also an opportunity to resolve long standing issues related to: Extralegal or Informal Tenure Poor Land Governance Inferior Land Rights for Women Highly Unequal Land Distribution

5. 4. Two Factors Determine the Success or Failure of the Program The Damage Assessment The Reconstruction Policy

6. 5. Owner Driven Reconstruction Works the Best. The most empowering and dignified approach BUT requires Training and TA Updating codes [?] Mechanisms to regulate prices Financial assistance in installments linked to technical quality

7. 6. Resettlement Rarely Works. Resettlement is usually unsuccessful Livelihoods Socially and culturally inappropriate Sometimes unavoidable Environmentally vulnerable Successful resettlement Takes into account livelihoods Partners with the community Fully serviced plots Socially and culturally appropriate

8. 7. Training Makes a Vital Difference Detailed damage assessment Data collection and information management Technical advisors and supervisors Owners and builders in the field

9. 8. Civil Society and the Private Sector Can Be a Vital Partner. Constituency, capacity, outreach and skills Overall Program/ Government objectives Formalize relationship Establish oversight mechanisms Manage expectations

10. 9. Reconstruction Can Be Used to Mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction. Build back better! Disaster resilience Cultural heritage preservation Land tenure/Land-use planning Anti-corruption/Financial Tracking Institutions

11. 10. Institutions Matter (a Lot!) Authority Autonomy Political Support Mandate, Policy and Plan Effective Relationships Military Local authorities NGOs Donors

12. Please join us! www.housingreconstruction.org ajha(at)worldbank.org