1.12. Challenges in the Transition Phase

So, now immediately after the post-Tsunami when I visited the place, the important issues are the food security, you know how to get their rations because they are all after the relief stage when they settle somewhere, so their daily needs, this is where every ration shop is full of queues, every water facility because their infrastructure has been damaged because of the Tsunami, where do they get the drinking water you know and their livelihood is in threat.

After a disaster like a tsunami, the immediate concerns for affected communities revolve around securing basic needs such as food and water. When people settle temporarily post-relief, they face challenges in accessing rations and drinking water due to destruction of infrastructure. The queues at ration shops and water facilities illustrate the urgency and competition for limited resources, which is compounded by the loss of livelihoods.

Think of a local grocery store that gets damaged in a flood. Once it reopens, you may see long lines because many people rely on that store for food. Similarly, in a disaster, people rely on limited resources, and everyone is trying to get what they need at the same time.

So, this is where in the fishermen set up, you have the boat owners, you have the fishermen, you have the traders and everything used to cooperate with each other and they use to work.

In fishing communities, various roles, such as boat owners, fishermen, and traders, usually work in harmony. However, a disaster disrupts this cooperation, jeopardizing not only individual livelihoods but the community's overall economic structure. The interdependence between these roles means that the loss of one can significantly impact others.

Imagine a school where teachers, students, and staff all contribute to learning. If a fire damages the school, the students can’t learn, teachers can’t teach, and the entire education system suffers, just like the fishing community when disaster strikes.

And the traditional houses you know and their indigenous knowledge how they oriented their houses, they are climatically efficient, how it suits their livelihood needs.

Indigenous knowledge about house design and orientation is crucial for climate-efficient living. Traditional houses are often built with consideration for local climate and resources, which can enhance safety and resilience. Such homes reflect deep understanding of environmental conditions and community needs, once lost, are not easily replaced.

Consider how houses built in colder regions often have slanted roofs to prevent snow accumulation, while those in hot areas have thick walls and shading. When a house that understands and utilizes local climate effectively is destroyed, residents face greater challenges in rebuilding sustainably.

And their public places, how they were damaged. This is a huge infrastructure has been damaged... there is always a relief stage, there is a rehabilitation stage which goes for a few months and the final is the reconstruction stage. There is a lot of actors working from the government, international NGOs, local NGOs and the community groups which work on these aspects.

After a disaster, recovery takes place in stages: relief comes first, providing urgent support. Next is rehabilitation, where longer-term needs are addressed, followed by reconstruction to restore or improve infrastructure. Many stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and community members, play roles in these processes to ensure comprehensive recovery.

Think of rebuilding a playground after a storm. First, volunteers clean up debris (relief), then fix swings and sandboxes (rehabilitation), and finally, they might build a better canopy and add more features (reconstruction). Each step requires different resources and plans.

So, I am talking about the transitional shelter. So what they did was an immediate requirement for them as where to live... they got the tin sheets immediately and they have lived here for about two years.

Transitional shelters are temporary housing solutions provided quickly after disasters. In response to immediate housing needs, tin sheet shelters may be distributed, but these often lack permanence and can be uncomfortable over time. Organizations need to consider both quick relief and long-term stability in housing.

Imagine if a family lost their home and was given a tent to live in for a couple of years. While better than nothing, it doesn’t provide the comfort or security of a real home, and as time goes by, the limitations of living in a tent become more apparent.

And what you can see is a barracks of the tin sheets... how to work on it... how this transition stage has to gradually go into the permanent stage.

It’s crucial to not only focus on temporary housing but also to plan for transitioning to permanent solutions. This requires assessing materials, addressing the needs for education, healthcare, and livelihoods, and finding sustainable methods to reuse or adapt temporary structures for long-term living.

Consider putting up a tent while camped in the woods. It’s fine for a few nights, but you wouldn’t want to live there for years. Eventually, one would want to build a proper cabin to ensure comfort, security, and community integration.

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