Together We Stand

[ 61 ] tices. This can include using demonstration homes or the media to address why different hazards happen, why they can be so destructive, and how to use different construction prac- tices to reduce vulnerability. Trainings can help communities to be better prepared. Perceived positive consequences People who understood that construction practices could protect their home during the next storm were more likely to adopt them than those who were unaware or uncon- vinced of such benefits. In Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines, many more adopters associated improved practices with preventing damage, and recognized the increased stability of the structure. A perception of additional advantages may be an enabling factor in perceived positive consequences. In India adop- ters said the hipped roof created more living space, while in Pakistan adopters said putting lime on walls prevented infestation by pests. “Though I have limited resources and could not buy all of the housing material, I tried to copy the structure as much as possible. I focused on the important joints of the struc- ture so that my house became firm and sustainable in case of flood and wind,” said Jan Muhammad, Saheed Ahmed Khoso village, Jacobabad, Pakistan We recommend actions to ensure that people understand the advantages of building back safer, both in severe climatic condi- tions and in the everyday use of their homes. This requires investing more time in understanding which aspects of their home are most important to them, and creating a communica- tions strategy that relates the recommended practices. We need to reinforce the advantages of hazard-resistant practices, and combine this with activities to increase the availability of appropriate cues for action.
Scale models of homes and specific construction approaches can be used to show good and poor practices, such as a corner with and without bracing. Safer construction awareness should also be mainstreamed in long-term programmes. Hazard-resistant practices should be linked with universal motivators, such as health and education, demonstrating that a safe and secure home provides the basis for a healthy family and a place where children are safe to grow and learn. Perceived self-efficacy Across the five countries, a high proportion of people — both non-adopters (in India and Madagascar) and adopters (in Bangladesh and the Philippines) — found some of the practices difficult to implement. Adopters who could access the funds, resources and technical support rebuilt better when they saw that the benefits would outweigh the difficulties they experienced. Across all locations, the majority learned about the hazard-resistant construction practices from a CRS demon- stration house, although some learned from a carpenter/ skilled labourer, another local homeowner, or they already Image: Sara A. Fajardo/CRS In Madagascar, families described the displacement from their homes as a devastating consequence of recent disasters T ogether W e S tand