1.8. Scaling Up Learning from Good Practices

And the policies acts on the guidelines of reconstruction overall reflect a build back better approach, they have addressed these aspects. One is building obviously, it is a safer building practice and it has to adhere with the earthquake resistance, this is one of the prime.

The 'Build Back Better' approach emphasizes creating safer, more resilient infrastructures following disasters. In this context, it underscores the importance of ensuring that new buildings comply with earthquake resistance standards, which is particularly critical in earthquake-prone regions.

Think of it like fixing a broken toy. Instead of just patching it up, you reinforce it with stronger materials so it won't break easily the next time it's dropped. Similarly, building back better means using better materials and designs to ensure safety in the future.

The second is decentralization; the decentralization and the coordination mechanisms. Then, use of local resources; using the local labour, local skills, local materials. This will actually reduce a lot of financial cost, operational cost and even it will be easy for the management procedures.

Decentralization refers to distributing authority and responsibility to local governments or organizations rather than central ones. Utilizing local resources—like labor and materials—can significantly reduce costs and simplify management processes, making reconstruction more efficient and community-driven.

Imagine organizing a community potluck instead of having a catering service. When everyone brings a dish from their own kitchen, not only do you save money, but everyone feels more involved and proud of their contribution, enhancing community spirit.

This is where we talk about the self-driven reconstruction, how we can engage the people in the recovery process in the reconstruction process so that they can build their capacities.

Self-driven reconstruction means involving community members in the rebuilding efforts. By engaging the local population, they not only contribute to the rebuilding work but also enhance their skills and capacities, making them more resilient in future disasters.

It's akin to teaching someone to fish instead of giving them fish every day. By participating in the rebuilding process, individuals learn valuable skills that empower them for future resilience.

Mainstreaming DRR and mobilization of stakeholders; so how we can mainstream the DRR into the development process and how we can mobilize the stakeholders.

Mainstreaming DRR means integrating disaster risk considerations into development planning at all levels. Mobilizing stakeholders involves bringing together various groups—such as government, NGOs, and community members—to work collaboratively towards reducing risks.

Consider how a school integrates health education into its curriculum. Instead of having a separate class, lessons about hygiene and safety are interwoven throughout different subjects, making the learning more impactful and relevant.

Then, there is how we can ensure that there is a uniformity in the grant division and we call it as GESI, addressing GESI especially in the South Asian context one is called gender, equality and social inclusion.

GESI involves ensuring that gender equity and social inclusion are prioritized in disaster recovery efforts. This means recognizing the different needs and roles of women, men, and marginalized groups in the recovery and reconstruction processes.

Think about a family planning a vacation. If they only consider the interests of one family member and ignore the others, the trip won't be enjoyable for everyone. GESI ensures that all voices are heard and needs met, leading to a more equitable recovery.

Avoiding social disputes and harm to local culture; so this is also the social harmony, that is what I reflected with. Maintaining a goodwill, scaling up and scaling out of learning from good practices during construction.

It's important to respect and preserve local cultures and traditions during reconstruction efforts. Avoiding social disputes that can arise from cultural insensitivity fosters goodwill within communities and contributes to social harmony.

Imagine building a playground in a neighborhood with existing historic sculptures. If the playground is designed in a way that respects and complements the sculptures, the community is likely to embrace it rather than resist it. This illustrates how mindful integration of new projects can enhance community relations.

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