People’s Process in Post-disaster and Post-Conflict Recovery and Reconstruction

The publication aims to guide enhancing the efficacy of recovery efforts following disasters and conflicts within the Asia-Pacific region. UN-HABITAT emphasizes the need for a seamless transition from emergency response to recovery, underlining the importance of involving affected communities in the recovery process to ensure sustainable and effective outcomes.

It underscores the concept of "seamless recovery," advocating for the commencement of recovery efforts alongside immediate relief from day one. The guide presents a people-centric approach where the affected populations are central to the recovery process, leveraging their own capacities and knowledge for rebuilding and rehabilitation. This approach has proven to be the most effective method of recovery when individuals have control over their own recovery process.

It presents practical methodologies for post-disaster and post-conflict situations, including social mobilization, damage assessment, community action planning, community contracts, and risk mitigation. Each chapter provides structured guidelines for implementing these strategies, such as organizing communities, assessing damages accurately, and planning recovery actions in a participatory manner. The guide also covers technical training for "building back better," which entails not just rebuilding what was lost but improving resilience against future disasters. It encourages the use of Community Contracts as a means to empower local communities, allowing them to take charge of reconstruction efforts and thereby fostering ownership and sustainability.