Rebuilding from the ground up. The role and challenges of knowledge exhange in supporting post-disaster self-recovery in the Philippines

Abstract

Less than 15% of the population affected by natural disasters receive shelter assistance from humanitarian or governmental institutions; the other 85% reconstruct their own places independently. When communities have to decide to self-rebuild, risk-resistant construction techniques are generally applied in a limited way. The paradox is that when these techniques, are communicated through guidelines and training, they have a limited impact on the rebuilding process. Thus, it is necessary to better understand why existing communication patterns and methods are ineffective and which knowledge adoption factor is determining better selfrecovery risk reduction standards along post-disasters reconstruction. The aim of this research is to understand why information about typhoon-resistant construction techniques is limitedly spread in the context of self-building processes for unassisted communities after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 in the Philippines. During the fieldwork, the role of the key stakeholders and the construction processes of the houses were investigated to deepen the understanding of communication methods. The results of the study emphasize the lack of local awareness about typhoon resistant techniques, the insufficient communication in top-down support of reconstruction and the excessive complexity of certain divulgatory tools. Thus, it seems necessary to optimize the knowledge network to support the application of typhoon resistant construction techniques by communities. The research, therefore, provides useful insight into the needs of future shelter assistance and proves the relevance of knowledge in self-rebuilding after a natural disaster for both governmental and non-governmental organizations.