One year after the devastating earthquake that struck the village of Chahak in October 2023, Francesca Cozzarini, the UNDP Regional Area Manager based in Herat, discusses the significant strides made by UNDP in supporting local communities. Chahak, home to 1,400 people and nestled in Afghanistan’s western region near the Iranian border, was reduced to rubble. The UNDP’s response, anchored in an area-based approach, highlights the critical role of community-driven and sustainable solutions in disaster recovery and resilience. Francesca shares insights into the UNDP’s efforts in fostering resilience, rebuilding infrastructure, and empowering local communities. She emphasizes the importance of UNDP’s field presence through its eight regional offices, which enable closer collaboration with communities. Here’s an in-depth look at our conversation with Francesca.

What was UNDP’s first move in Chahak after the earthquake struck?

UNDP has been working in Chahak village since October 2023 after the earthquake that caused the death of 1,400 people. Chahak was completely destroyed, and we started to support this village step by step immediately after the earthquake. We first coordinated with the Shelter Cluster to identify a village in need of shelter support. We then started engaging with the community, by listening to their needs and aspirations, and tailoring our support to them. While intervening in Chahak, we built on the knowledge and experience acquired in providing housing support in the Southeast region after the earthquake in 2022, as well as best practices from UNDP’s earthquake responses in other countries, including Nepal, Turkey and Syria.

How did UNDP address the immediate housing crisis post-disaster?

We showed that UNDP can intervene immediately after a disaster by proposing a long-term, sustainable approach, while complementing humanitarian efforts on the ground identified the need for shelter support as the most pressing one to enable people regain dignity and rebuild their lives. Initially, we helped the community build temporary shelters to provide immediate protection for the winter. Now, we are providing permanent shelters. Both of them are disaster resilient, and incorporate vernacular architecture concepts.

Can you elaborate on the architectural approach used in Chahak?

We are using traditional building principles and local materials, combined with earthquake-resilient features. This ensures that we preserve traditional architecture while making the houses stronger and resistant to future earthquakes. We have identified a new approach in rebuilding these houses, which is particularly relevant to the local context.

How does the community contribute to the rebuilding process?

 The construction process is underpinned by an owner-driven approach. We provide technical and financial support to the households for them to mobilize the materials and labour required to rebuild their shelters. We empower them to drive the process, and replicate it, if needed. We have developed a compressed stabilized earthen block that is locally produced and used to build the new shelters. The people are empowered to rebuild their shelters using these innovative blocks.

Environmental sustainability seems to be a priority in your reconstruction efforts. How is this achieved?

We minimize the use of cement to keep costs low and reduce water consumption. This energy-efficient reconstruction method also avoids using burnt bricks, which require a lot of wood for burning, thus protecting the environment.

Beyond physical reconstruction, how does UNDP support the community’s livelihoods?

For UNDP, it’s not just about rebuilding shelters. We provide an integrated approach that rebuilds the lives and livelihoods of the people. We supported the community with livelihood initiatives, such as community kitchens where women and men worked together to provide food for those who lost everything due to the earthquake, contributing to food security. In this process, the participants earned a salary that they used to improve their living conditions and meet their basic needs. 

How is the use of solar energy integrated into the new homes?

The housing support includes lighting and cooking components. We provided solar cookers and solar energy for lighting, which are innovative and sustainable solutions. These new homes are equipped with everything the residents need, including latrines.

How does UNDP address gender and women’s perspectives in its work?

Community kitchens run by women have provided thousands of meals, showcasing the vital role women play in recovery efforts. These kitchens not only addressed immediate food needs but also empowered women by involving them directly in the process. Additionally, shelters have been designed with input from women, many of whom previously lacked income and personal space. By involving women in the design and implementation of these projects, we ensure that their specific needs are met and that they have a stake in the rebuilding process. This approach helps to foster a sense of ownership and empowerment among women in the community.

What role does the community play in finding solutions during this rebuilding process?

UNDP aims to build the capacities of communities to enhance their resilience and enable them to withstand future shocks. We have worked together with the community to discover and identify new solutions for emerging issues. We built a strong partnership with this village, and we are proud to support them. The community’s resilience and efforts in rebuilding their village and lives are commendable.

The importance of UNDP Regional Offices presence

The regional presence of UNDP in Afghanistan is key to understanding a country of great diverse situations. UNDP’s eight regional offices play a crucial role in delivering effective solutions and interventions tailored to the unique needs of different communities. These offices enable UNDP to maintain a strong presence across the country, facilitating direct engagement with local populations and ensuring that projects are designed and implemented in close collaboration with the communities they serve. This area-based approach allows for more responsive and sustainable outcomes, addressing the specific vulnerabilities and opportunities to provide resilience for each region. Afghanistan’s complex landscape, marked by decades of conflict, presents numerous challenges for its people, with many areas having been inaccessible to international organizations for years. The UNDP’s regional offices are essential in navigating these complexities, as they can adapt to the unique circumstances of each region, better understanding and responding to the diverse needs and challenges faced by communities, ensuring that initiatives with partners are both relevant and effective.