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[Myanmar-2] 1st Homes Built for Survivors of Cyclone NARGIS
Habitat and its partner World Concern are on-the-ground rebuilding homes for survivors of Cyclone Nargis which swept through the heavily populated Ayeryarwaddy delta in May.
The first transitional homes are being built in a village in Pyin Alan Tract, or district, near the southwestern delta town of Laputta. In addition, planning is under way for a series of community buildings where residents can seek protection from bad weather.
The raised transitional homes use readily available coconut wood-frame structures built on precast concrete footings, with walls and floors made of bamboo matting and roofs of corrugated galvanized iron sheeting. The homes measure 270 sq. ft. and are braced and structured.
Traditionally, families in the delta live in vulnerable bamboo-based structures that are not fully secured or weather proof.
Involving members of the affected community is an important part of Habitat's approach in rebuilding after natural disasters. The design for first two pilot houses in Aima village was modified after input from villagers. The location of the entrance door was moved for culture reasons and the orientation of the building was changed because of sea breezes.
The houses are of a type known as "transitional" homes. These provide more safety and security after a disaster than tents. Later, they can be strengthened and extended, and even taken apart so the materials are reused in new permanent structures. The pilot homes have guttering to harvest rain water for drinking.
The safe community buildings or "Houses of Refuge" are planned for Aima, Aung Hlaing and Char Thar Gone villages. These community structures will be designed to minimize loss of life in future storms by providing wind- and flood-resistant buildings where community members can take shelter during a flood or cyclone. In normal times, these buildings can be used as health clinics or schools.
Habitat is supporting World Concern by providing technical advisers and other support for construction. Currently materials are being purchased in Laputta and shipped up to five hours away to the villages. Because of the remoteness of many of the communities, World Concern has acquired speedboats to ferry people and materials.
Habitat is investigating plans to provide mobile sawmill services as happened in Habitat Japan & Pakistan co-projects to rebuild after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. A travelling sawmill is taken to a community and used to cut and shape salvaged wood and timber for walls and floors.
Families are encouraged to work on their houses, but most of the work is being under taken by paid workers. An estimated workforce of 20 carpenters and 30 others is needed for the first 20 homes. In addition a project manager and the first of two site managers have been hired. A book keeper and a logistics person are needed to support the work.
The first part of the partnership should see 400 homes built in up to 14 villages by early 2009 and the creation of at least three safe community buildings. This could be extended to building 3,000-4,000 houses around Laputta and assisting and training families to improve their own homes to protect them against rains and floods.
Habitat has worked with World Concern in various parts of Asia, notably in reconstruction projects after the 2004 tsunami.
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2008.05.07 Habitat's Response to Myanmar Cyclone NARGIS
