Background and objectives:

Since 2005, UN-HABITAT has worked closely with ERRA, assistance actors and communities in rural housing reconstruction and landless programmes, contributing to policy and standards at federal level and monitoring issues and addressing needs through a widely based technical support programme at field level. UN-HABITAT has contributed to ensuring the principles of equity, appropriateness, self-reliance and a culture of risk reduction following the people’s process of reconstruction policy, reflected in the practical application of the programme.

Significant progress has been made and the project will support, and in part take over, the inspection activities that the Pakistan Army and other stakeholders will no longer provide to housing reconstruction. In addition, the project, based on the experience and lessons learnt on housing reconstruction will institutionalise reconstruction experiences and contribute towards ensuring that recovery for affected people is well planned and implemented in the future. The goal of the programme is to support communities and families to rebuild safer settlements and housing through the people’s process of reconstruction.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Strengthen inspection and technical assistance with the aim of satisfactory completion of the rural housing reconstruction programme. This includes conducting inspection on rural houses and providing continued technical support to financial assistance through certification. UN-HABITAT has established a data processing, monitoring and evaluation system to support the completion of inspection activities and monitors the rate of housing completion and provides continued technical support to houses under construction with on site advice.
• Capitalise on good practices and set up mechanisms for sustainability. UN-HABITAT has developed a range of model house packages including accessible drawings, specifications, quantities and step-by-step instructions for use by house owners and artisans. Material is prepared and training conducted.
• Provide improved technical solutions towards sustainable rural housing. UN-HABITAT will initiate assessments of building performance of newly constructed buildings and identify shortcomings and potential scope for improvement. These may include insulation, rainwater harvesting and sanitation.

Results:
The results so far achieved have included:

• 70,000 households have continued access to financial assistance through certification.
• Appropriate standardised training and information materials on hazard resistant construction are available.
• 14,061 houses inspected.
• Over 6,000 non-compliant houses visited and given detailed advice how to improve their houses to attain compliance.
• Increased access to local long-term technical support and information is obtained.
• Strengthened capacity, level of training and technical assistance in hazard resistant design and construction is obtained in local government departments, ministries and professional institutions.