Post-disaster Reconstruction and Well-being of Affected Persons in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Tiwari and Shukla presented a framework based on a capability approach to understand the determinants of the well-being of affected persons during post-disaster reconstruction in the September 2022 issue of this journal. Using the framework, the present paper examines key challenges with post-disaster reconstruction practices through the experience of resettled colonies in Chennai. Disasters in Chennai have resulted in the relocation of households living in informal settlements to purpose-built resettlement colonies, which the resettlement agencies claim have better housing and built environment. These should contribute to the well-being of households. However, the results from a primary survey of households living in resettlement colonies conducted in 2021 that compare pre- and post-disaster capabilities demonstrate that there are a number of gaps. Fifty-eight per cent of households expressed that their condition is no different than what it was in informal settlements. This paper identifies that in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in Chennai, mechanisms for community participation, inclusive responses by involving women and marginalized households, long-term plan for the rehabilitation of affected persons and mechanisms for involving NGOs/CBOs have not been adequately incorporated. A consequence of the lack of a post-disaster reconstruction plan has been that most of the reconstruction activity has been ad hoc and reactive usually through government orders issued after a disaster. Resettlement is a complex issue, and it requires a balance between protecting the lives and livelihoods of those affected as these are tied to a location and protecting them from future disasters, the occurrence of which is also tied to location.