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Disaster Recovery Case Study

Turning Devastation Into Sustainable Community Development in Nicaragua

Reconstruction Through Collaboration

In 1998, communities in Northern Nicaragua could never have expected that the devastation resulting from Hurricane Mitch could bring hope for a better future. Individuals like Hilaria Ruiz and Eucebio Roque Martinez saw their houses carried away by the flood.

Others lost loved ones and their means of subsistence. In total, 30% of the 4.5 million population of Nicaragua were affected by Mitch. In an unprecedented collaborative effort between NGOs, mayors, contractors, the state water utility, community leaders, the Municipal Development Institute (INFOM) and UNDP, around 3000 houses were built in 142 communities bringing shelter to over 18, 000 victims. Beyond the reconstruction itself, the cooperative reconstruction process brought together local organizations, peasants and governments - groups that had not yet reached reconciliation from years of civil tensions.

More Than the Sum of the Parts

The extent of the devastation in Nicaragua brought support for reconstruction from the world over.Funds for the rehabilitation work could have remained dispersed among the various participating organizations leading to a patchwork reconstruction programme. Instead, the various groups pooled their resources and achieved results that surpassed their expectations.By pooling resources, some money was invested to carry out basic damage assessments upon which to plan and prioritize the work to be done. University students from the area conducted research to identify priorities. These were identified as housing and the reactivation of production and basic social services such as drinking water. Groups with the strongest presence and understanding of an area were given the responsibility of implementing reconstruction in that area, streamlining the process.

Among the other initiatives undertaken in this two year reconstruction program, were the creation of a seed bank for subsistence farmers. Community members were consulted in the design of the new houses to ensure uniformity and high standards. For many, the cement foundation was an added security feature and the latrines and running water in some villages a cause for much excitement.

Women and men together participated in the reconstruction work and were provided with food in exchange for work. Gender awareness as well as environmental concerns and local participation are important objectives of the rehabilitation project. One initiative is the decision to allocate newly built houses either to women or to couples with an obligation to pass it on to their children. Such a measure benefits women who have typically not had the right to land ownership in the country.

UNDP’s Contribution Disaster Recovery

UNDP’s vision for coordinating large scale efforts was central to this effective rehabilitation project. In the first year, UNDP directed $1.2 million of its own funds towards the project. National and international NGOs contributed $900,000, the Government of Finland $960,000 and other UN agencies contributed an additional $800,000. In this last year of the project, an additional $3.3 million has been added to the budget.

UNDP’s contribution extended beyond “on the ground” rehabilitation and provided policy advice and expertise in the development of disaster prevention, mitigation and management legislation for the country.