Paper short abstract:

This study investigates the effectiveness of resourcing in post-disaster housing reconstruction with reference to Cyclone Sidr and Aila in Bangladesh. The results of this study show that the housing recovery rate is 69.5% but the recovery rate of cyclone resilient houses is only 6%,

Paper long abstract:

This study investigates the effectiveness of resourcing in post-disaster housing reconstruction with reference to Cyclone Sidr and Aila in Bangladesh. Through evaluating post-disaster housing reconstruction theories and approaches, the synthesis of literature, and empirical fieldwork, this research develops a dynamic theoretical framework that moves the trajectory of post-disaster housing reconstruction towards the reconstruction of more resilient houses. A number of scholars have argued that access to resources can significantly increase the capacity and capability of the disaster victims to rebuild their lives, including construction of new homes. This study draws on structured interviews of 285 villagers affected by cyclones to investigate the effectiveness of resourcing in rebuilding houses after Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 key stakeholders in UNDP, OXFAM, government officials, and national and international NGOs. The results of this study show that the housing recovery rate is 69.5% but the recovery rate of cyclone resilient houses that can withstand cyclone is only 6%, and more than 30% of respondents still do not recover houses even seven years after the Cyclone. In addition, 92.4% respondents are still vulnerable and livelihood recovery rate is 49.7%. The results of multiple regression, hierarchical regression and thematic analysis of qualitative data indicate that access to resources, level of education and income generating activities of the respondents played pivotal role in post-Sidr and Aila housing reconstruction in Satkhira and Bagerhat in Bangladesh.