Abstract

Earthquakes cause devastation, and it is those who are already vulnerable who suffer most from from the repeated destruction of their homes. How can we enable those in disaster-prone areas to both plan for, and recover, in the wake of disasters? This practical manual offers an up-to-date resource covering both an intervention method and technical aspects of disaster mitigation; an important resource for all involved in humanitarian disaster response and planning. The guide includes how to define and organize the intervention project, how to administer the reconstruction work, how to assess beneficiaries and train local people for different roles. The importance of community-based participatory processes is a core strategic approach; people’s experiences of past disaster events demonstrates how local knowledge has been used to develop awareness of danger and also help prepare for improved future disaster response and reconstruction. Disaster Risk Management and Reconstruction in Latin America is important reading for development professionals and for all involved in humanitarian disaster risk response and planning.