Reconstruction and rehabilitation

Generally speaking, reconstruction and rehabilitation is chiefly concerned with restoring the living conditions of the stricken community. The goal is to overcome the effects of war and natural disasters, and to generate long-term improvements in housing, infrastructure, and income.

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With its “build back better” approach, the SDC seeks to restore livelihoods and basic services at a higher level than before the crisis or disaster.
In order to support the reconstruction process following the severe earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, the SDC adopted an innovative approach. It founded the Competence Center for Reconstruction in Port-au-Prince, which was principally meant to improve the quality of the projects being conducted and to strengthen local capacities.

With its reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes, Swiss Humanitarian Aid reacts to events that are caused by external forces whose impact is catastrophic. This includes not only extreme natural events such as, for instance, earthquakes and floods, but also conflicts that unfold in violence.

Reconstruction comprises both the aspects of physical restoration as well as elements of social and economic rehabilitation. Some examples of this are the repair of public facilities such as schools and hospitals, the repair of roads and bridges, and the restoration of the water supply. Yet reconstruction and rehabilitation goes beyond a mere physical rebuilding. Reconstruction and rehabilitation projects also take into account economic, environmental, and social factors, with the goal of restoring the self-sufficiency of the afflicted community in the aftermath of a crisis or natural disaster.

The building of capacity and resilience in the afflicted populations, and a focus on the sustainability of its commitment are guiding principles for the interventions of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid. In doing so, the foundation for an effective transition from reconstruction to development cooperation is put into place.

Focus of the SDC

The Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation can draw on a wealth of reconstruction and rehabilitation experience. It mobilizes its core competencies in the fields of water and wastewater, livelihood, capacity building, and advocacy so as to contribute to enabling the populations affected by crises and natural disasters to maintain a certain standard of living.
A person’s living standard includes, among other things, housing, income, health, and food security, and is enhanced by, in particular, the restoration of access to resources, i.e., water, soil, electricity, information, and transport. In addition, the promotion of income-generating activities creates the basis for the renewal of social and political stability.

Swiss Humanitarian Aid plans its activities in close cooperation with the government of the affected country, and coordinates its projects with local and international actors. Here, it draws on Switzerland’s traditional strengths (humanitarian principles, neutrality, and independence), while acting with flexibility, rapidity, and without red tape.

Additional Information and Documents

Documents

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Concept
of the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation and the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit
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