Sustainable International Development

From Disaster to Development:

Transitioning Sustainable Shelters to Sustainable Communities

In the wake of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, returning people to the normalcy and safety of a place they can call their home is imperative to begin the healing process and the redevelopment of a community. Transitional shelters are a first step in this process and the construction of greatly improved transitional shelters in recent years has spurred community growth. Since the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, CHF International (Cooperative Housing Foundation) has completed 4,500 transitional shelters and provided homes for more than 22,500 Haitians. CHF has been an innovator in the field of transitional housing since the overwhelming destruction Nicaragua suffered in 1998, after Hurricane Mitch. Since that time, CHF has provided shelters to the people of Peru and Indonesia, after natural disasters and to displaced populations in Colombia.

These shelters have historically been designed with timber frames, which are able to withstand rain, storms and earthquakes. In Haiti, the majority of the shelters built are intended to house families of 5 and last for 3-4 years, but in many previous cases, have been used much longer. These structures incorporate the use of recycled steel roofs, wood, plastic to insulate inhabitants and mosquito shielded ventilation. These shelters cost around $1,000 each. CHF partners with USAID to provide funding for the development of these shelters. Recently, the use of light gauge steel has been used in the construction of temporary shelters, which cost nearly the same amount, but are designed to have a lifespan of 30-40 years. These structures are able to withstand hurricanes, in addition to earthquakes and inclement weather, and most importantly, can become the foundation of a brick, plastic or concrete home which can be incrementally constructed as the community develops and economic opportunities grow. The long term vision for community development is a cornerstone for the relief provided by these temporary shelters in countries requiring post-disaster assistance.

The long term positive impact of these shelters can be seen in various ways. Of primary importance is maintaining pre-existing communities by rebuilding amongst established social networks. The return to this normalcy of life increases a people's feeling of security and reduces crime and violence in communities. Engaging communities to participate in their own redevelopment through construction training instills a sense of pride, while teaching skills which can be further developed to encourage economic growth. Current such projects include a partnership between CHF and Caterpillar, to train workers in rubble removal and the construction of a Haitian Apparel Center, which will then train women in the textile industry. The result will be increased income for families and greater self-sustainability, allowing for future additional developments to a family home, which was once a temporary shelter in a time of need.

Photo credit: CHF International