Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster - GFDRR

unable to do the actual construction (either on their
own houses or those of others) helped with other tasks.
Male heads of households participated in 73 percent
of cases and female heads of household in 31 percent.
Children and other family members participated in
15 percent of cases. In female-headed households, the
participation of women increased (nearly doubled), as
did that of children and other family members, while in
households headed by men, male participation dominated.
(Clemente, Bertolotto y Del Valle, 2003).
The houses were built with two bedrooms, a dining room,
kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and semi-covered outside
area. Housing costs were subsidized and the municipalities
or housing institute provided beneficiaries
with the houses and deeds, free of charge, provided that
the beneficiaries would inhabit the houses immediately
and not sell them until five to 10 years had elapsed; the
number of years before families actually sold their houses
varied from one province to another, but the minimum
remained five years.
4.7 Land and Infrastructure
Land for the new urban development was contributed
by the provinces or municipalities. The infrastructure—
new streets, as well as water and electricity connections
and grids—were built with national, provincial, and
municipal funds, at no cost to the beneficiaries.
The fact that nobody handles cash avoided conflicts, suspicions
or requests for reviews by the political opposition or
by any other institution. Everything was managed through
vouchers which are the equivalent of materials. Beneficiaries
knew what vouchers were like, what each represented. They
were fully aware of the different construction stages.
Mr. Ocampo, Mayor of Reconquista, Santa Fe.
Both in Puerto Iguazú (Misiones) and in San José (Entre
Ríos), women were particularly active in construction,
which had a major impact on their self-esteem. This indicates
that a program such as the SPV can be implemented
in female-headed households and that the more
they are trained, the more involved they become.
The Housing Institute was in charge of the urban development
project and preparing the land for construction;
beneficiaries were given the lots at no charge.
4.8 Community Organization
Beneficiaries were organized in groups of 20 families
(up to 100 people), which promoted and facilitated
mutual assistance. They were helped by a SUPCE team
composed of a social worker and architect, along with
local government representatives. Each group built 20
houses based on the “assisted self-construction and
mutual aid with technical and social assistance” model;
they achieved a significant amount of unity, participation,
and training in building homes. People who were
36 Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster: Experiences from Latin America