1.4. Disaster Events Impacting Housing

This particular disaster 2001 and this has been destroying more than 200,000 houses and already there is also vulnerable component of existing housing shortage you know, plus the earthquake the disaster adds on to it.

The 2001 earthquake in El Salvador had severe consequences, destroying over 200,000 houses. This disaster compounded an already existing problem of housing shortages in the country. Many people were living in precarious conditions even before the earthquake, and the destruction made the situation significantly worse.

Imagine a city where people are already struggling to find a safe place to live, much like how people may struggle to find affordable housing in certain urban areas today. If a natural disaster, like a major earthquake, strikes that city, it would not only displace those already in need but dramatically increase the number of people without homes.

From 78 to 92 there is a very cruel civil war which has killed more than 125,000 people and the moment you are talking about a civil war it have impact on the economy and the major infrastructures. In 1986, then again, a severe earthquake has hit the San Salvador, more than 40 thousand houses has been destroyed and prior to 2001 and 1998. This hurricane Mitch has produced the serious floods killing 250 people and affecting the most successful experiences of the post-conflict reintegration process.

The context of El Salvador's vulnerability to disaster events includes a history of civil conflict that lasted from 1978 to 1992, resulting in significant loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. The economy was heavily impacted, making recovery and rebuilding more difficult. Additionally, prior disasters like the 1986 earthquake and Hurricane Mitch in 1998 caused further destruction, demonstrating a pattern of vulnerability in the region.

Think of a family living in a house that is continuously undergoing repairs. Each time they try to fix the roof, another storm damages the walls. Similarly, El Salvador has faced repeated disasters, each time making recovery from the last one a little harder.

Now, you can see here, there is a multiple disaster being a hilly areas, a mountainous areas you can see the landslides along with it not only the earthquakes the ground is not just moving around there is hills landslides on the other side, you have the Hurricanes which is again.

El Salvador's geography features mountainous terrain, which is particularly prone to landslides. The combination of earthquakes and heavy rainfall leading to hurricanes multiplies the risks associated with natural disasters. The region’s physical characteristics make it vulnerable, and recovery efforts must consider this geography in order to build resilient housing.

Imagine living in a house on the edge of a cliff. Every time it rains heavily, you worry about landslides. Similarly, living in El Salvador means facing constant threats from nature due to its mountainous landscape.

After the earthquake, many NGOs come into the picture. And they want to give their helping hand or the support or the technical expertise or a kind of financial supports. so, that is how this is the time different red cross associations like one is a Spanish red cross along with the Salvadoran red cross. How they have also associated with in the red cross associations.

In the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake, numerous NGOs, including various Red Cross organizations, mobilized to provide assistance. This included financial support, technical expertise, and logistical help to implement rebuilding efforts. Collaborative approaches were crucial to leveraging experiences from other parts of the world to address specific local needs.

It's like when your neighbor's house catches fire, and the whole community comes together—bringing food, clothes, and offering to help rebuild. In El Salvador, organizations worked jointly to support recovery efforts after multiple disasters.

So they have come up with rather than a core housing concept they started with a progressive housing as a solution. Because they have considered a different experiences what they have learned and that is where they have come up with a progressive solutions.

In response to housing shortages and the need for resilient solutions, Red Cross associations developed a 'Progressive Housing' approach. This concept allows for the construction of homes in incremental stages rather than providing a complete house all at once. It incorporates lessons learned from various experiences to create flexible housing solutions suited to the community's needs.

Think about building a LEGO house. Instead of starting with a fully built house, you start with a base and add layers over time. Just like in this approach, families can personalize their homes gradually as they can afford more materials and labor.

When the first earthquake hit in 2001, the Spanish Red Cross has created the special plan for earthquakes in El Salvador which has PETES in accordance with the plan of action of Salvadorian Red Cross and included three phases, one is the emergency phase, the stabilization and the rehabilitation and humanitarian aid and recovery and the reconstruction phase which is the final phase.

The recovery process is organized into three distinct phases: Emergency Phase (addressing immediate needs like debris removal and shelter), Stabilization and Rehabilitation Phase (goal of meeting essential needs for food, water, and mental health), and Recovery and Reconstruction Phase (planning and rebuilding necessary infrastructure and communities). Each phase builds upon the previous one to support long-term recovery.

Imagine if a house burned down, the first thing you would do is clear out the debris and provide temporary housing for those affected. Next, you’d help them with food and support as they cope with their loss, and finally, you would work on rebuilding their house. This is simply how recovery processes work.

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