4.5 Recovery support

The affected families are always the first responders and the most important stakeholder. Inevitably recovery starts on the first day after a disaster and families start to rebuild without support from the international community, relying on their own resources. In many major disasters 80% or more of the affected population ‘self-recover’. CARE is a leading proponent of support to self-recovery and the shelter team at CARE UK can provide assistance to country offices if a self-recovery approach is considered appropriate. Some considerations of self-recovery are:

• The approach is likely to involve more enabling and less construction
• Each family will exercise choice in how, when and where they rebuild their homes
• Technical assistance, build-back-safer key messages and community accompaniment are key to leaving a lasting legacy of improved and safer construction.
• Sector integration and a holistic approach adds value – especially WASH and livelihoods
• The entire community can be considered, and not just a targeted selection of beneficiaries.
• A gender sensitive approach should always be employed, with attention to the empowerment of women and girls.