Shelter Self-Recovery: The Experience of Vanuatu

This paper draws from a research project that explored the lived reality of communities in Vanuatu recovering major disasters to understand impacts shelter interventions by humanitarian organizations. It focuses on “shelter self-recovery”, anapproach followed organizations after recent disasters. A global overview self-recovery highlights potential this approach support recovery pathways and indicates reliance local context. The shows need for more evidence impact programs. In Vanuatu, study was undertaken three island sites—Tanna, Maewo Pentecost—affected different disasters, particularly cyclones. examined main issues: (a) understanding interpretation self-recovery; (b) how has evolved over time; (c) what is being done reduce future disaster risk. Key findings field indicated devastation such as cyclones can cause serious scarcity natural building materials, which impedes process. other significant issue traditional versus modern where many people aspire houses. However, poorly constructed houses pose risk there are examples shelters made materials provide safety. Drawing investigations, set recommendations were developed effective agencies partnership with stakeholders. These place importance contextual factors, community consultation engagement, addressing supply materials.