In the field of Disaster Management, there has developed a concept called Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) which focuses on reducing vulnerabilities and disaster risks to avoid or to limit the negative effects of a disaster striking a local community or environment, with a view to sustainable development(1).

Proper disaster risk reduction happens before a disaster occurs, but it is still reasonable to introduce it in areas where a disaster already happened, in order to be prepared for, or even prevent, the adverse effects of future hazards. One of the areas of importance to effective risk reduction lies in the provision of safe, structurally secure shelter, which is closely related to the sustainability issues of the type of construction, for example. It is important for the reconstruction or provision of shelters to be of a sustainable nature, with the aim to ensure increased permanency of the dwellings. The reasons for this seem to be obvious. The need to renew the dwellings or totally rebuild the houses as a result of the previous lack of proper planning and execution, would comprise a wide range of disadvantages. These disadvantages may range from financial considerations to unnecessary work effort and general efficiency considerations. Still, in the past the sustainability of rebuilding was widely neglected.

In order to avoid these negative effects it should be asked what factors influence shelter security and what would contribute herewith to disaster risk reduction? The following points represent factors, that when taken into consideration, contribute to an achievement of more permanent shelter security(2): • Materials used - Materials should be chosen in order to withstand, or mitigate the damages of area-specific potential risks. Materials should be locally available and people should be familiar with them, to improve and facilitate the repair and replacement of old or defective parts. • Construction type - The architecture and design should incorporate consideration of disaster related impacts. • Site selection of rebuilding - Rebuilding in immediate high risk zones should be avoided. This however is a difficult task, due to various reasons such as the unwillingness of people to leave their familiar surrounding, give up their land and their work space; the unavailability of comparable land/soil; and high relocation costs. The factors that influence shelter security can be identified through various methods like: • risk assessment studies • practical and theoretical (pre-) testing of constructions, architecture, materials • lessons learned from previous mistakes The importance of shelter security is also mentioned in the Hyogo Framework for Action in disaster risk reduction. This framework, that is part of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (ISDR), represents a comprehensive concept in the area of disaster risk reduction that is aligned to reduce disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries(3). This framework also includes the emphasis on shelter security through safer housing construction introduction, the enforcement of building codes, and of land-use planning. Disaster risk reduction is a concept of disaster mitigation which advocates the importance of equipping a community against life threatening hazards, including the proper reconstruction of dwellings.

Poverty - Vulnerability - Shelter Security - DRR Regarding Disaster Risk Reduction, special attention should be paid to the needs of the poor as they are often disproportionately affected by disasters. They often face higher vulnerability than wealthier people, caused by various reasons connected with higher exposure and susceptibility to disaster impacts. The higher exposure of the poor may derive for example from the type and stability of their dwellings, or the location - often lying in higher risk zones. Their higher susceptibility may be linked to their lack of assets necessary for recovering after a disaster, which also comprises the need for building up damaged or destroyed houses.

The identification of vulnerability of the poor is necessary to detect potential risk factors in the case of disasters. For this reason vulnerability assessments should be conducted(4). Ideally, such measures should be taken before disasters happen, in order to mitigate or even prevent the negative impact of disasters. Still, conducted after a disaster they facilitate the setting of measures for future disasters and allow for the inclusion of lessons learned from former disasters.

For more information on disaster risk reduction, see: • Department for International Development (2004). Disaster Risk Reduction: a Development Concern • World Conference on Disaster Reduction (2005) Hyogo framework for Action 2005-2015. Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. www.unisdr.org

References: 1 www.unisdr.org/eng/library/lib-terminology-eng%20home.htm 2 For more information see: Barakat, Sultan (2003) Housing Reconstruction after Conflict and Disaster. Network Paper. Humanitarian Practice Network on ODI 3 World Conference on Disaster Reduction (2005) Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 - 2015. Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters 4 Tools for vulnerability and capacity assessments may be found in: Cannon, Terry et al. (2003) Social Vulnerability, Sustainable Livelihood and Disasters. Report to DFID. Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Department (CHAD) and Sustainable Livelihood Support Office.

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