Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management

“CDM: Strengthening Partnerships for Resilience”

Montego Bay, St. James, JamaicaDecember 6‐10, 2010.

Presenter:Georgia Scarlett Project Assistant

Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

L Sweat Equity in

Recovery Projects: The Case of the Tropical Storm Gustav

Recovery Project

OUTLINE

Contextual Background The Project Sweat Equity Issues and Challenges Partnerships Benefits The Way Forward Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Caribbean States are highly vulnerable to

natural disasters where, on average one

major hurricane affects a country in the

region every two years.

Over the past 20 years, Jamaica's disasters resulted in cumulative costs of more than US$84 billion. The World Bank's Natural Disaster Hotspots Report ranks Jamaica as the country third most exposed to multiple hazards in the world, with 87.7% of GDP and 87.7% of the population in areas at risk from three or more hazards

INTRODUCTION

Tropical Storm Gustav

In August 2008 Tropical Storm Gustav entered

into Caribbean Waters causing

catastrophic damages to Jamaica on

August 28-29

IMPACT

1. 72 communities affected

2. 4,000 individuals directly affected

3. 12 reported deaths

4. 400 houses totally destroyed

5. 1,500 houses severely damaged

Tropical Storm Gustav

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), based on multi-sector damage and needs assessments, estimated losses from Gustav at J$15 billion Jamaican dollars (approx £115 million).

Tropical Storm Gustav

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

The Jamaican Government met the needs of

the 400 homeless but could not meet that of

the 1500 severely affected. The Department

for International Development (DFID) sought

to assist this population through a grant of

£500,000.00.

Project Objectives

To assist the recovery of 1500 families severely affected by Tropical Storm Gustav and to prepare for and mitigate against, the effects of future natural hazards on low income and self help housing sectors in Jamaica.

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

Project Objectives

2. Provide materials and technical assistance to repair up to 1500 homes.

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

Project Objectives

3. Train 120 Household owners and artisan builders in building resilient low income self- help housing.

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

Project Objectives

4. Conduct a national safer building awareness programme

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

Tropical Storm Gustav Recovery Project

Achievements

1103 houses retrofitted 5 houses constructed 235 informal builders and householders

trained in Safer building techniques A National Hazard Awareness Campaign,

launched on August 28 2009

METHODOLOGY

To achieve the project

objectives sweat equity was

incorporated

Sweat Equity

Definition

The voluntary contribution (Labour) that

beneficiaries expend as a pre-

requisite prior to the provision of

receiving any tangible benefits.

Sweat Equity

Employed by Agencies worldwide such as

the Habitat for Humanity. In Jamaica- the

Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF)

is the main agency that requires beneficiaries to

participate in the form of contributing labour to

gain benefits from these organisations

Sweat Equity

Sweat equity creates a mutually beneficially

relationship between the recipient and the

donor.

ODPEM’s Main Provisions

1. Skilled artisans ( Learners from the HEART TRUST/NTA)

2. Safer building materials

Beneficiary Main Provisions

1. Artisans ( 2-3 community carpenters)

2. Meals for all artisans

3. All manual handling of materials

PARTICIPATION AND INCLUSION

Communities were informed of their sweat

equity provision from the implementation

phase of the Project. Together both the

beneficiaries and ODPEM worked to achieve

success.

PARTNERSHIPS

Community Leaders Parish Councils ( Parish Disaster Coordinators) HEART TRUST/NTA

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Challenges were experienced in all phases of the Project: Pre-implementation Implementation Post implementation

Pre-Implementation Phase

1. Residents were cynical about the Project.

2. Residents were reluctant to carry out any form of sweat equity.

3. Some residents were unable to carry out sweat equity.

Pre-Implementation Phase

1. Residents were cynical about the Project.

2. Residents were reluctant to carry out any form of sweat equity.

3. Some residents were unable to carry out sweat equity.

Implementation Phase

1. Initial refusal to cover double handling costs.

2. Low community artisan turn out in some communities.

3. Threats of violence , unpleasant meals and general unwillingness.

Post Implementation Phase

1. Financial expectation of some residents

2. Perceived ingratitude as some residents wanted a complete re-roofing rather than retrofitting.

BENEFITS

5. Community residents are active participants in the Project implementation process therefore achieving behaviour change at this level.

6. Builds community bonds and encourages camaraderie.

The Way Forward

The concept should be utilized in all post

disaster projects.

CONCLUSION

Sweat equity has proven successful in this

Recovery Project. Together communities,

Implementing Agencies and Donors can work together in building disaster resilient

communities when employing sweat equity