Objectives
- Strengthening the skills of craftsmen and trainers
- Develop architectural models adapted to local resources
- Improve local construction techniques to reduce the impact of natural disasters
In February 2006, severe flooding hit the Tindouf region of Algeria. Several Sahrawi camps were devastated. The disaster left around 12,000 families homeless. OXFAM-Solidarité initiated a program of mitigation measures to support reconstruction and reduce the risk of housing collapse.
The aim is to prepare the population for the risk of flooding, to improve housing by disseminating information and technical solutions, and to strengthen local skills.
Throughout the project period (2007-2010), appropriate and accessible construction techniques reducing the impact of natural disasters on existing and new buildings were disseminated and practiced by the local population. Trainers were provided with appropriate tools to teach technical solutions, and to assess and repair damage to structures by integrating new technical measures.
The diagnosis of the situations and the possible solutions were determined by the stakeholders using a participatory method:
- study and analysis of the construction sector and its environment ;
- definition and development of varied architectural solutions based on economic capacities, local knowledge and potential;
- creation of teaching materials for local players ;
- housing prototypes built ;
- training of trainers and craftsmen, awareness-raising and information activities for beneficiaries; these activities rely on local structures to ensure the project's sustainability;
- actions designed to encourage local initiatives and ownership of the project, and to assess the relevant approaches for achieving the objectives ;
- regular evaluation of the project and revision of strategies in the light of evolving results.
After 18 months and less than €100,000 of investment, the construction techniques developed have been adopted for several quality public buildings. Local people have reproduced certain details to improve their homes or build new ones. 110 craftsmen have been trained by local trainers or sensitized by the project's activities. In 2008, over 2,500 people were directly sensitized. 900 heads of household benefited from the project's activities. The number of people directly sensitized is set to rise to over 2,000.
The main lessons learned from this project show that :
to match technical solutions with local potential and capacity, based on existing knowledge and know-how, in order to guarantee their endogenous reproduction;
inform beneficiaries about the nature and effects of hazards on the durability of buildings: understand their weaknesses. Indeed, if the population has not suffered a disaster, or if it does not have appropriate solutions, it will prefer to be satisfied with its living conditions, hoping never to suffer any hazards;
develop local human resources to implement the proposed technical and methodological approaches;
transfer project management to local structures to ensure the long-term viability of the project in the area after the departure of non-permanent partners.
Results
- 8 institutions sensitized (2 donors; 6 NGOs)
- 5 institutions trained
- 100 masons trained
- 10,000 families reached
- some 80 families have duplicated the techniques
Partners
OXFAM - Solidarité, Saharawi Ministry of Construction, ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department), Camp populations