Supporting the development of projects that will help those in the most need is a key objective of the Happold Foundation. We are proud to have been involved in funding CARE India’s research into the impact of its emergency shelter programme, a project that really demonstrates how the built environment can have a vital and lasting impact on people’s lives. The project was the first to be awarded our Grants for Good Ideas funding.
Put in place to provide emergency accommodation and care to people affected by disasters in India, the programme provides a range of shelters to protect communities, from the immediate aftermath of an event through to more long-term solutions. The charity’s Post Disaster Shelter Evaluation studies the effectiveness of the shelter programme. The study looked at ways that both CARE India and other organisations can strengthen their shelter programmes to further support the women, men and children who have lost their homes in the wake of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones and floods.
The research team from CARE looked at their response to ten disasters over 15 years, reviewing shelters used for short term relief and more permanent structures that eventually became long-term homes. The team considered themes such as programme design, technical design and habitability of the projects and shelters. The significance and long-term impact of the projects were also reviewed, as well as accountability to the people affected by the disaster. As well as assessing the successfulness of the practical construction of the shelters themselves, the study went further, considering the social and economic impact of post disaster accommodation and how schemes can be improved to immobilise communities and improve the futures of some of the world’s poorest families.
The findings from CARE’s study recommend a number of steps forward in the development of shelter programmes, from understanding the specific requirements of each disaster event, supporting the structure of communities and providing opportunity to improve economic circumstances. The report details a number of recommendations for improving shelter programmes across India.
To read more about the findings and recommendations of the Post Disaster Shelter Evaluation, download the summary report by Rajan Bahadur, MD & CEO of CARE India.
Case Study
The Post Disaster Shelter Evaluation highlights a number of case studies carried out as part of the team’s study. One describes the experience of Nagayya and his family and how their lives have been impacted by longer-term shelter provision.
The lives of Nagayya and his family members have been greatly changed by the shelter project in Amaragiri. The father, mother and four sons live together in the shelter, and the mother explained that “even if it rains now, still I’m safe here”. Previously they lived in a leaky simple wooden hut, with one door and no lighting. Because of the lower costs of maintaining their shelter they have been able to save money, and as a result bought a TV two years ago, a rice cooker 1 year ago and now they are saving for a bed and some ornaments. They have electricity 24 hours a day and said the lighting in the shelter and the street lighting outside makes them feel safe.
Previously they would leave before dawn and return at dusk in order to make a living, and they never saw anyone or socialised. Now they can socialise, have meetings and take part in festivals
The father explained that his eldest son is the first in his family to attend school, and will also go to high school 20km away, because it has a special hostel for tribal communities. His son will get a job in the forestry department or become a teacher: “However I have to do it I will earn the money to educate my child. We have faced problems; we will not let our children face the same problems” – Nagayya