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Reconstruction and rehabilitation

Engineers on a reconstruction site in Nepal.
The SDC provided emergency aid to the survivors of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal and is helping the Nepalese authorities to lay the foundation for safer reconstruction efforts. © SDC

The aim of the reconstruction phase is to restore the living conditions of disaster-stricken communities. The SDC’s humanitarian experts help the victims overcome the effects of war or natural disasters through lasting improvements that lead to better housing, infrastructure and income-generating opportunities.

SDC focus

The Humanitarian Aid of SDC has a long and solid experience in the field of reconstruction and rehabilitation. Post-disaster reconstruction efforts encompass both material reconstruction and the social and economic recovery of the affected communities. The projects involve the renovation of public buildings (schools, hospitals, roads, bridges) and damaged homes as well as the restoration of water supply systems. Humanitarian action also aims, when circumstances allow it, to restore local economic activity and guarantee the social protection of victims in order to enable them to meet their needs independently.

The Humanitarian Aid of SDC pursues two main objectives: to strengthen the skills and capabilities of aid recipients and to ensure that its activities produce sustainable results. The reconstruction phase is often an opportunity for joint humanitarian aid and development cooperation efforts.

Background

After a disaster – and indeed during normal times – an individual’s standard of living is determined by various factors such as their housing conditions, income, health and the quality of the food they consume. The living conditions of the most vulnerable communities can be significantly improved by restoring their access to basic necessities (water, sanitation and hygiene, arable land, livestock) and by repairing roads and bridges. Furthermore, restoring income-generating activities lays the groundwork for much-needed social and political stability.

It is therefore crucially important to ensure that plans made at the beginning of a reconstruction phase be accurate and aligned with needs identified on the ground. Collaboration with the local authorities at this stage is essential to ensure that the aid provided yields sustainable results.

Reconstruction activities also require a major coordination effort between local and international humanitarian and development organisations. Ideally, donors and partners should agree to divide tasks so as to make the most efficient use of available financial resources.

Current projects

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Contribution to Rural Housing Reconstruction Project (RHRP)

01.01.2016 - 30.06.2025

Rural households affected by the earthquake of April 25, 2015, especially from disadvantaged groups, will rebuild earthquake resistant houses through the RHRP, the Government’s lead project for housing reconstruction. With a total contribution of 7 million CHF, the Swiss support through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank, will enable an additional 3’500 rural households to rebuild. The contribution will be complemented by technical assistance through secondments and experts provided also by SDC/HA.

Contribution to Rural Housing Reconstruction Project (RHRP)

15.12.2015 - 31.12.2026

Rural households affected by the earthquake of April 25, 2015, especially from disadvantaged groups, will rebuild earthquake resistant houses through the RHRP, the Government’s lead project for housing reconstruction. The Swiss support through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank, will enable an additional 2’250 rural households to rebuild. The contribution will be complemented by technical assistance secondments provided by SDC humanitarian aid.

VSF Switzerland - Livelihood Puntland Somalia

15.05.2014 - 15.10.2015

Somalia continues to face food insecurity with more than 860'000 people in need of assistance. One of the identified reasons for this is the lack of adequate veterinary health service causing not only a decrease of available food for the local population but also hampering the high-potential livestock exports, preventing the country to develop. With this intervention along with its partner VSF, SDC aims to improve veterinary services in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, thus improving the main livelihood of its inhabitants.

First Allocation of SDC Funding to ICRC Operations in 2013 in Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2013

In line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the necessity of predictable and flexible funding for responding to changing needs in humanitarian crises. SDC funding to ICRC operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.

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Last update 03.01.2021