The recovery of communities after natural disasters and conflicts was addressed in a report presented by the Rapporteur in March, 2011. In the aftermath of disasters and conflicts, governments must address issues such as discrimination, corruption, delays in the distribution of aid, delays in reconstruction work, and lack of participation in the decision-making processes.
The report analyses the operation of national and international aid agencies, how they provide aid, how financial compensation is calculated and distributed, and the consequences of the lack of security of tenure in housing and land during the reconstruction processes.
The study also addresses the time lapse that usually takes place between the emergency-humanitarian phase and the definitive development phase in post-conflict and post-disaster situations. This time lapse can cause refugees and migrants to live in emergency shelters for years. This situation consolidates social-territorial links in the new settlements’ areas and further complicates the permanent re-settlement of families in their places of origin or in new territories.
To read the report, click here.
Throughout 2011, the Rapporteur has worked on a second version of that report, focusing solely on situations of reconstruction after natural disasters and their connection with the right to housing. This second version incorporated contributions made by governments of various countries during the presentation of the first report to the UN Human Rights Council, in March, in Geneva, and studies of recent cases, such as Pakistan and Chile and a working visit in Haiti. The report was presented at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in October 2011, in New York.
To read the report in the other UN official languages, click here. (select the language at the bottom of the page)
To read the report, click below.