Mujibar’s House: A Case Study Presented to the DER Shelter Coordination Group Cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh 28 November 2007 FH Bangladesh

Md. Mujibar Rahman, Caretaker, Tk.5,800 / month. Own house land in village, but no paddy land. Works in Dhaka: Wife, 1 son, 2 daughters in village. Tin (CGI) house 20’x18’ with bamboo/wood frame.

The night of the Cyclone Built up rice sacks in house; Violent winds, no tidal surge; Tree smashed into house: walls gave way, roof collapsed; Family inside saved by sacks; Only minor injuries; Most furniture & household goods severely damaged; Neighbours houses similarly damaged. District: Madaripur Upazilla: Kalkini Union: Sahebrampur

The Following Week Cleared tree, salvaged households goods, tin and wood. Took tree to sawmill and cut for frame timber. Re-shaped bent tin with scrap wood. Reconstructed house at 15’ by 13’ using old tin, new & old wood, old window and door frames. Tools: Hammer, screw driver, old hacksaw. Sundries: Nails, washers, screws, jute. Labour: Self, father-in-law, brother for two days; Self for further 4 days to finish-out.

The Cost Tree clearer with big sawTk. 2,000$29.20 Rickshaw van to sawmillTk. 500$7.30 SawmillTk. 1,000$14.60 BambooTk. 2,000$29.20 Sundries: nails, screws etc.Tk. 250$3.65 Total cashTk. 5,750$83.95 [Value of Tk. 700 cu.ft.]Tk. 10,000$ Total CostTk. 15,750$229.95

What Else Would Mujibar Have Liked to Have? Tools: Proper saw & chisel [+ Spade & pillar hole digging tool]* Materials: New tin (CGI sheet) for roof: 2 “bundles” = Tk. 9,000 = $132. More time to complete verandah and kitchen. [ Funds to replace damaged household goods. ]* * Ideas added by FH staff

Building Back Better: Better: RCC Pillars Brick Plinth But: Smaller: 14’x20’ Still mud floor Roof TinTk. 9,000$ Wall TinTk. 8,000$ WoodTk. 10,000$ RCC PillarTk. 14,000$ Door & Windows Tk. 5,000$73.00 PlinthTk. 4,000$58.40 LabourTk. 8,000$ TotalTk. 58,000$ Per: Reza Muhammed Galib, BSc Eng (civil) An example for debate

Resource Availability May be available in local Union small businesses: Tin – CGI sheet Tools Sawmill Skilled Labour Need to go to Upazilla town for: Large supply of Tin Cement and rod for RCC pillars; Bricks

Is Mujibar Typical? Has a regular job; Male relatives available to help; Used to work as a building site labourer; No land for cultivation (lives on father-in-law’s land); No water damage from tidal surge. Conclusion – a median case, but many will need livelihood support; BUT: some, particularly those vulnerable before the cyclone, are much worse off. Vulnerable family before Cyclone

Some Strategic Issues Affordability:- 1.2 million homes? Preserving Local Markets for Materials. Stifling or Enhancing Initiative. Cyclone Proof = ?? Wind Proof, or Tree Fall Proof, or Tidal Surge Proof. Land Availability. Most vulnerable often live outside embankments. Migratory Fisher-families. One size fits all? Vulnerable family before Cyclone

FH Bangladesh John Marsden, Country Director Saleh Uddin, Disaster Preparedness & Response Coordinator Rafique Masud (Rony), Logistics Coordinator FH Shelter rehabilitation following tornado in 2004 following tornado in 2004