Rebuilding home & livelihoods
Practical Action
Meet the District Secretariat (DS) or a local Community Based Organisation (CBO) to
obtain information about the current situation in the area of interest and any other local
knowledge.
Obtain a list of beneficiaries from the DS/CBO and ascertain the extent of assistance
already received by the beneficiaries and the gaps to be filled.
A walk through: visit the area affected to obtain first hand knowledge of the ground
situation.
Determine whether going alone or in partnership with an established, experienced
organisation in participatory disaster management efforts (eg. Practical Action). The
advantage of partnering with an experienced organisation is its knowledge on the process
of reconstruction, its already established network of resources and obviously its
experience in this sector.
If going alone:
Decide on how to obtain land for reconstruction –whether through the government or to
be purchased outright or to build on land owned by the beneficiaries. Check on
ownership documentation such as deeds/official document issued by the Grama Seveka
(GS).
Zonal classifications: Ensure that construction is allowed according to the zonal
classifications which you can check under http://tafren.wow.lk/
Obtain clearance from the relevant authorities – Urban Development Authority (UDA),
Coastal Conservation Authority (CCA), Central Environmental Agency (CEA),Road
Development Authority (RDA) and any other local authority (Municipal
councils/Pradeshiya Sabhas).
Check on the TAFREN Implementation Guidelines (http://tafren.wow.lk/) for details of
the Donor Assisted Housing and Township Reconstruction Process.
Points to note in starting housing programmes
For housing programmes to be sustainable, it should be people-centred. This is a factor that is
generally compromised in the urgency to meet targets and deadlines of rebuilding programmes.
This can later lead to a situational dissatisfaction with the out come of programmes. Expected
outcomes may not be achieved. Thus, it is strongly recommended rebuilding includes community
aspirations and guidelines laid down by authorities.
The process should be carried out in partnership with the widest range of stakeholders possible.
This will ensure that the breadth and depth of knowledge is maximised and ownership is
widespread, thus leading to common appreciation of the realities and priorities of all concerned.
The steps taken should inform each other, be carefully cross referenced and compared to inform
decision making at all levels.
Figure 1: Credit: Practical Action South Asia
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