Reestablishment of rural services
and revitalization of rural economy

This note presents relevant
interventions that have aimed to stimulate rural economies a
natural disaster based on case studies from the Philippines,
Turkey, and Pakistan. Introducing new, untested
infrastructure methods or designs involves careful analysis
and may delay reconstruction. If this level of analysis is
not completed, the reconstructed infrastructure may not meet
expectations. For example, in Turkey, the Erzincan
earthquake, new earthquake-resistant barns were built
according to designs approved by the state. However, the
insulation was insufficient for such an intemperate region
so farmers abandoned the barns or used them for other
purposes. In reconstruction work, relying on simple,
well-tested, and easily scalable solutions may be more
efficient if an appropriate level of analysis of innovation
is not available. The priority for farmers and for other
businesses is to reestablish their livelihoods as soon as
possible. For farmers this means getting back to their land
and/or livestock to maintain seasonally driven activities.
This need to restart economic activities is often more
urgent than the reconstruction of dwellings or other
critical infrastructure.