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Honduras, Post Hurricane Mitch

Challenge:

IBTS was part of the USAID/HUD Disaster Investigation Team that was assigned specifically to evaluate Mitch's impact on housing and its short-term and long-term requirements. The sub-team for housing assessment was led by HUD and consisted of one representative from NAHB and one from IBTS.

IBTS Actions:

  • Briefed by Honduras Federal government agencies, international private relief agencies, USAID Mission in Honduras, and officials from various municipalities.
  • Visited disaster sites in the capital and areas in the north and south of Honduras to see the effects of floods and landslides.
  • Visited some of the temporary shelters that were provided for about 10,000 displaced persons that no longer had either homes that they could return to or any means of providing for themselves.

Proposed Solutions:

  • Short Term recommendations focused on partnerships for restoration of homes and businesses in suitable materials and using basic natural hazard mitigation building practices.
  • Mid/Long term solutions included recommendations that addressed the finance system and development of minimum construction code. Issues included code enforcement and inspector training.
  • Three main areas targeted by the initial Forum in their Declaration of Cooperative Action were:
    • Uniform Codes and Code Adoption;
    • Codes Enforcement, Education, and Training;
    • Disaster Resistant Affordable Housing and Insurance.
  • Met with the Executive Secretary of the Honduran Professional Civil Engineers' Association who agreed to a follow-up workshop for the Caribbean/Central American Forum on Building Codes and Economic Development.