Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster - GFDRR
Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster - GFDRR
Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster - GFDRR
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Introduction<br />
Rapid and unplanned urbaniz<strong>at</strong>ion have compounded vulnerabilities to n<strong>at</strong>ural<br />
disasters in the L<strong>at</strong>in American and the Caribbean Region (LAC). As a preventive<br />
measure, resettlement has been carried out in some LAC countries in<br />
recent years. The analysis and dissemin<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the results <strong>of</strong> this str<strong>at</strong>egy to countries<br />
worldwide is relevant and timely given the millions <strong>of</strong> people exposed to n<strong>at</strong>ural hazards,<br />
especially in developing n<strong>at</strong>ions. This was the main motiv<strong>at</strong>ion for preparing the<br />
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Gu<strong>at</strong>emala case studies presented in this public<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
Chapter I analyzes global n<strong>at</strong>ural disaster trends and their impacts. It also studies<br />
these trends in LAC and the principal factors th<strong>at</strong> increase the vulnerability to n<strong>at</strong>ural<br />
disasters. St<strong>at</strong>istics on the occurrence <strong>of</strong> disasters, and especially their increasing<br />
impact in terms <strong>of</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> life and livelihoods, and overall economic losses, underscore<br />
the growing importance <strong>of</strong> disaster risk reduction frameworks <strong>at</strong> global and regional<br />
levels. The chapter concludes with a description <strong>of</strong> the str<strong>at</strong>egic frameworks and<br />
institutional development th<strong>at</strong> are been developed in the region.<br />
Chapter II analyzes resettlement as a risk reduction measure and describes the objectives<br />
and methodology <strong>of</strong> the cases studied. The next four chapters present the findings<br />
<strong>of</strong> each. In those countries, either due to the impacts <strong>of</strong> major disasters such as in<br />
Colombia and Gu<strong>at</strong>emala, or to recurrent events, such as floods in Argentina and<br />
Brazil, risk reduction plans include preventive resettlement.<br />
Each case presents the country context, the area where the study was conducted, the<br />
geographical distribution <strong>of</strong> the popul<strong>at</strong>ion, the principal n<strong>at</strong>ural hazards to which it<br />
is exposed, the major disasters faced, and the specific risk management model applied.<br />
The Argentina case presents the results from a housing subprogram, a non-structural<br />
component <strong>of</strong> the flood protection program carried out in 120 localities in seven<br />
provinces from 1997-2006. This subprogram forms part <strong>of</strong> an ongoing str<strong>at</strong>egy to reduce<br />
the risk <strong>of</strong> floods th<strong>at</strong> was adopted in 1993, during which 11,911 families have been<br />
resettled. This case is an example <strong>of</strong> resettlement based on Assisted Self-construction<br />
and Mutual Assistance Housing Construction. This approach involved the efforts <strong>of</strong><br />
federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as beneficiaries and construction<br />
m<strong>at</strong>erial suppliers working together in a decentralized, particip<strong>at</strong>ory process.<br />
The Brazil case involved a resettlement program implemented in the second stage <strong>of</strong><br />
the Streams Canaliz<strong>at</strong>ion Program (PROCAV II) in São Paulo, from 1995-2007. This<br />
program is one <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> efforts to control the flooding th<strong>at</strong> has wreaked havoc<br />
on the city <strong>of</strong> São Paulo for the past two decades. PROCAV II resettled 5,137 families,<br />
almost double the 2,585 resettled in PROCAV I. The case illustr<strong>at</strong>es the various<br />
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<strong>Preventive</strong> <strong>Resettlement</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Popul<strong>at</strong>ions</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Risk</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Disaster</strong>: Experiences from L<strong>at</strong>in America