HYDRAFORM - A helping hand in post disaster Rapid Housing
Natural
disaster like tsunami, cyclone, landslide earthquakes etc
is one thing which is inevitable and unwanted. Generally
every time it occurs causes a big loses in every part of
our life. After the mass destruction and cry, we are left
with no option but to work to rehabilitate those who suffer
as quickly as possible. The pain of disaster cannot be compensated
but we can heel the wound with our sincere and honest effort.
We were part of such effort in the two major projects of
rehabilitation in Gujarat and Orissa after earthquake and
cyclone respectively. Hydraform India directly and indirectly
partnered on various implementation programs with various
agencies, NGOs, funders, Social groups and all those willing
to support the cause.
Case
I: Post Cyclone in Orissa
People
in the post cyclone Orissa had lost everything. The tragedy
was so sudden and so intense that the community could not
prepare themselves to deal with it. The post disaster assessment
had revealed that small pucca shelters even tiny village
temples(to which one has to enter only in seating posture)
had saved human lives because all other constructions were
not storm proof and the 250KM/Hr wind speed was good enough
to blow away anything and everything.
Rehabilitation
phase was truly multi-sector program due to interventions
of many social factors. Thus, there was a need of innovative
social housing program. The reason was to (1) partially
meet the housing need of the poor (2) demonstrate a community
replicable social process (3) create livelihood opportunity
for the local community in a post disaster situation (4)
create a CORE for the family to provide minimum security
to life and assets and also at the same time to allow options
for expansion through addition of rooms even if thatched
on later day depending on income condition. The housing
intervention was a community managed, NGO facilitated process.
Hydraform
India was partner to CARE in this program. Some Three BMSBs
(Building Material and Services Bank) were set up at the
community hinterland managed by the local NGOs. It trained
local people to produce several appropriate technology based
building elements for both walling as well as roofing. The
one for walling with the help of Hydraform was Cement stabilized
compressed earth blocks. These blocks were eco-friendly,
easy to produce, stronger than convention burnt bricks and
above all easy to use in walling structures with exception
speed and great finish. These BMSBs also provided construction
services to community. It includes site selection, lay out
planning, selection of design, foundation preparation, construction
monitoring etc. About 1500 CORE houses were made in some
100 villages. In some villages these CORE houses were the
first pucca construction.
Disaster
response triggered aid based housing but we knew it very
well that it can not be a long run term solution to the
social housing issue. So to induce sustainability in the
process we introduce community managed social housing concept.
BMSBs was envisaged as a economic unit that will earn revenue
from training, capacity building, production and sale of
building elements, contracting construction services, selling
building material, extending small housing finance etc.
Today it is moving towards market driven approach. It is
getting institutionalized as a not for profit economic venture.
This concept won the Global Best practice Award in 2002
to CARE. This project was named "ASHRAY"
meaning shelter in the local languages.
Case
II: Post Earthquake in Gujarat
In
the post assessment of earthquakes in Gujarat, India in
2001, there was need of large scale rehabilitation and construction
of housing in quick time. At the same time appropriate technology
and design were to be sorted out considering the local condition
for best fit. So that it can be presented to the users to
make it acceptable and adoptable. Hydraform in partnership
and with the help of other Govt and non-Govt organization
like HUDCO took the above said responsibity. HUDCO in consultation
with Dr. A.S.Arya, a seismic expert arrived at a suitable
structural design for the house to be made with the Hydraform
Blocks. Hydraform India made a specially designed block
to meet the earthquake resistant structural requirement
as per guidelines of Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority
(GSDMA) on construction and technologies. About 4500 houses
have been made and many more under construction with Hydraform
machine made blocks. Construction had been done by the HUDCO
building centres, NGO's like St. Xavier's Behavioural Science
Centre, Eklavya Foundation, SEWA, UNNATI etc. These projects
were funded by various agencies including HUDCO through
Members of Parliament Legislature Development (MPLAD) funds,
UNDP, TATA Relief Foundation and other international funding
organization.
Conclusion
The
Hydraform System provides not only a cost effective and
faster Housing solution but also help in sustainable development
of the society in environment-friendly manner. The houses
constructed meet a one time need but the machines and training
provided develops skills among community and create opportunities
for livelihoods that are perpetual one. The system facilitates
community participation, skill development, income generation,
social responsibility and prosperity of the society.
Share
the experience of Hydraform for the Rebuilding & Rehabilitation
programs for Tsunami Affected by adopting Hydraform Building
Systems, which proves effective and favourable in post earthquakes
and cyclones disasters for the effective housing solutions
& future employment opportunities for sustained livelihood.
For further details contact -
HYDRAFORM
INDIA PVT. LTD
#602 - B, Ansal Majestic Tower, PVR Complex,
Vikas Puri, New Delhi 110018
Tel: +91-11-65480705, 28542642, 28542643,
45620885
E-mail : info@hydraformindia.com
Web : www.hydraformindia.com
