Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

4.4 Community Needs for Resilient Recovery and
Reconstruction
Overview
Based on the SIA findings outlined in sections 4.1 to 4.3 above and on additional analysis
and consultations with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS),
Ministry of Labor, and SSO, as well as development partners and civil society organizations,
a set of short- and medium- to longer-term measures are outlined in the present
section (summarized in Table 84). These aim to provide adequate responses to needs of
specific groups which have been differently affected by the floods and have a different rate
of endowments with which they can engage in recovery and reconstruction activities. 176
The proposed activities aim to cover:
• Impacts on vulnerable and marginalized households with limited sources of
income and no ability to participate in labor-based recovery and reconstruction
interventions (including the elderly, sick and people with disabilities and children).
These measures are intended to support their short-term recovery and prevent a
further worsening of their current living conditions.
• Impacts on a range of socio-economic groups in urban and rural areas,
which suffered heavy losses during the floods. The activities put forward cover
both short- and medium/long-term support.
• Mitigate impacts on villages and urban areas that are particularly vulnerable
to recurrent disasters by putting in place community-based disaster preparedness
and rapid response systems.
Short-term Interventions (in the first 6 months) 177
The short-term measures proposed build on existing systems to allow a rapid response
during the post-disaster recovery phase and take into account the support already provided
by the government as part of relief operations. In addition, the team has made recommendations
to the way in which the implementation of programs could be modified (where
field research revealed challenges with the delivery of support).
Additional Cash Transfer to Vulnerable Groups
• The Thai government has already taken action to allocate THB 5,000 to all
registered 178 households in flood affected areas. Data collected during the
SIA, however, highlighted that households with existing loans contracted with
informal lenders saw this amount go to a great extent towards debt service. In
addition, there were concerns expressed about the documentation needed to
claim these benefits, with requests made for beneficiaries that the application
process be further simplified. This is already happening in Bangkok for example,
where photographs of damaged houses are no longer required and utility bills can
be used as proof of residence. In order to reinforce the support extended to
vulnerable groups, two additional actions are proposed:
176 It is important to note that participants in the SIA reported limited consultations with communities on their needs for
reconstruction undertaken so far by government agencies as the relief effort is still underway.
177 While the proposed activities would be launched immediately it is likely that they will continue in the medium term.
178 The registration process in order to receive the transfer includes the submission of an application form, copy of IDcard,
copy of house registration form, rental contract or rental verification from local authorities and proof of damage (such as
photographs).
THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING
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