Assessment of rural economy in a post disaster setting peru
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Transcript of Assessment of rural economy in a post disaster setting peru
CASE STUDY OF CASABLANCA, PERU
Assessing The Rural Economy In A Post Disaster Setting:
The Day of the Earthquake
6:40 pm, August 15th – an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck of the coast of the Peru 1
Highly affected areas south of Lima Chincha Pisco Ica
Over 500 killed, thousands injuredNearly 20,000 homes destroyedApproximately 20,000 individuals continue to live
in emergency conditions (i.e., no shelter, limited access to food and water, loss of electricity and running water)
1. USGS. Retrieved on November 5, 2007.
University of Miami’s Past Projects in Peru
For 2 years, UM has been working on local development projects in the Los Molinos region of Ica Education programs Well water projects Dam building & Tree planting for mudslide
prevention/mitigation Small scale economic development
A UM-sponsored community forum had taken place in Los Molinos hours before the earthquake
Casablanca School Children Presented Uniforms: August 15th…Day the
Earthquake Struck
UM Field Assessment Team Deploys
Two weeks after the earthquake a UM team of professors & students leaves for Lima Prof. Richard Weisskoff– International Studies, Economics Prof. Sherri Porcelain – Global Health, International Studies Shannon Gibson – International Studies Michaela Sachs – Latin American Studies Nick Schaad – International Studies, Anthropology Aleandro Teixeira – International Studies, Study Abroad
Funded by the Rasmussen Foundation & UM Disaster Research Global Public Health Program
The UM Student Team
UM Students in Casablanca Post- Earthquake
Assessment
Systematically collect feedback from the people in the Los Molinos area
Identify immediate and long-term needs in the Los Molinos area (at the city, family & individual levels)
Determine potential small-scale economic development projects which would aid the entire community
Expand network with local government and community leaders in order to enhance program sustainability in the future
Survey Instrument
Designed based upon information and knowledge of the region
Pre and post disaster: household, education, water, electricity, sanitation, garbage, pests, health situation, employment, inventory of animals, inventory of land ownership, open-ended section.
Field test and modificationsGuidelines established, reviewed and
implemented
Methods for Data Collection
Survey (Specific to Casablanca) Demographics Changes Since Earthquake (i.e., damage to housing, crops
lost) Education Levels Water Source & Usage Sanitation Heath & Access to Healthcare Employment Economic Assessment - Land & Livestock Inventory
Survey / Interview HybridObservationPhoto/Video
Video of Damage – South of Lima
http://picasaweb.google.com/sgib1982/PeruTrip/photo?authkey=d2tNRNojyOI#5114572307623354866
Findings from Survey
Surveyed 52 families over a one-week period 2 weeks after the earthquake hit
Head of household sought first However, multi-generational households, surveys
were conducted with more than one member of household present
Two assessment team members per surveyAll surveys were read to the participants & answers
were recorded by assessment team membersAdaptations: recorded important/interesting
comments on backs of surveys, often asked additional questions after survey completed to get a better understanding of how the community worked (collectively)
Demographics
52 Families – covering 199 individuals
Gender Total: 53% Male, 47% FemaleGender Total: 53% Male, 47% Female
Education Levels
Education Levels
Effects of the Earthquake
Disaster Impact on Community
Displaced Populations
Effects of the Earthquake
Problem Identified: Need for Quick Rebuilding & Earthquake Resistant HousingProblem Identified: Need for Quick Rebuilding & Earthquake Resistant Housing
Government Response
NGO’s that did show up Germany AID, Ireland AID, Red Cross, Japanese Medical Team
NGO’s that did show up Germany AID, Ireland AID, Red Cross, Japanese Medical Team
Non Governmental Assistance Arrives
Rebuilding Efforts
Typical Household
Water & Sanitation
Those who do treat use liquid or tablet ChlorineThose who do treat use liquid or tablet Chlorine
Water & Sanitation
All residents get their water from a spring which flows from the top of the mountains
Problems: No regulation mechanism for farmers using fertilizer No trash collection – residents burn or toss it wherever
Water & Sanitation
Problem Identified: Lack of Access to Clean Drinking WaterProblem Identified: Lack of Access to Clean Drinking Water
Health Issues & Access to Healthcare
Health Issues Since Earthquake Colds & Sore
Throats Headaches Respiratory Problems
Health Issues Since Earthquake Colds & Sore
Throats Headaches Respiratory Problems
Other issues since EarthquakeDust Fleas
Rodents FliesBats Spiders
Other issues since EarthquakeDust Fleas
Rodents FliesBats Spiders
Problem Identified: Lack of Access to HealthcareProblem Identified: Lack of Access to Healthcare
Employment & Economy
Many work seasonally as day workers – income not steadyMany work seasonally as day workers – income not steady
Employment & Economy
Household with most land & animals
Employment & Economy
Employment & Economy
Problem Identified: Need a method for transporting viable animal/farming products to market
Problem Identified: Need a method for transporting viable animal/farming products to market
Open-Ended Questions
Words used to describe families situation since the earthquake. Scared Frightened Preoccupied Tranquil/Calm Traumatized Nervous Critical Worse Sad Poor
Open-Ended Questions
Do you have any ideas for economic activities in your community? Raise & Export Guinea Pigs Mill for processing animal feed Collective Farming & Transportation Clean Water Electricity Health Center Chicken Coops
Proposed Projects Based on Findings
Potable drinking water Current water source is used by animals and for crop
irrigation, bathing, cooking, cleaning clothes & drinking
Install a pump at a lower level water source to bring water to the village to be used for DRINKING WATER ONLY
Possible use of solar panels to power the pump
Health Post in Casablanca Closest health post is in Los Molinos (40 minutes by
car, 2.5 - 4 hours by foot) Train local community members in general healthcare
Proposed Projects Based on Findings
Collective Milk/Cheese Production Research indicates that there is a surplus production of
milk & cheese Due to lack of transportation, much less refrigerated
transportation has kept farmers from capitalizing on the production of these products
Talks are underway with the Mayor of Los Molinos in order to set up a collective buyer program
Donation or Loan for Collective Mill To process locally-grown corn stalks and alfalfa to produce
cattle feed Benefits: provides local market for crops, reduces highly
labor-intensive process for those who do own animals Cost analysis pending
Community Input is Vital!
El Olivo – More Work to be Done
Research Potential
Neoliberal economic theory DOES NOT apply to rural, collective farming economies Property rights do not apply Subsistence farming leaves little to no room for savings &
investment Limited market & purchasing power Limited access to market
Institutional Barriers Common to Many of the World’s Poor Low literacy rates Do not own deeds or titles to land or homes Both factors make it difficult for poor laborers to receive
access to small monetary loans necessary for stimulating family-based economic growth
Muhammad Yunus & Micro- lending
The Plight of the Landless Poor Laborer Bamboo stool maker in India Has no collateral, cannot read – thus cannot take out a
conventional bank loan Borrows bamboo (worth 22 cents) from a middleman in
return she must sell her stools back to the middleman for 24 cents…profit = 2 cents per stool
Cannot borrow money for raw supplies- middlemen charge large interest and can demand payment at anytime
Therefore, this woman is destitute because she cannot come up with 22 cents to buy bamboo and sell her product on the open market where she would make more than 24 cents per stool
The Case in Peru
Average day worker makes 12 – 13 soles per day ($1 US = 3.02 Soles )
Average farm worker makes $4 per dayMost families do not own deeds to land or homesLack of access to market – more research needed
to see if residents are fetching “true market value” for their crops that do make it to market
In one village we visited, all of the homes had been donated by a church organization The residents had requested to be able to buy the land and
therefore have collateral Church refuses This type of “hand out” – not very effective for raising
poverty level
Solution: Muhammad Yunus
Micro-Lending Provide small-scale one-year loans to landless, poor Provides workers to explain and fill out application papers All members must:
Qualify at certain level of poverty Attend educational seminars and pass oral exam to show
understanding of the loan, repayment procedures & bank duties
Be a member of a “loan group” Loan Groups
Meet weekly to discuss their progress If anyone in the group wants a new loan it must be approved
by members before submitted to bank If one member of the group defaults, no one in the group will
be allowed to ask for a new loan for the next year
Reconstruction Phase
Need better methods to promote human development in post-disaster settings
Region is challenged by natural and human-induced disasters
Grass roots to top roots approach may be the best investment to improve global public health and human development in the devastated area
More to come on the University of Miami’s collaborative efforts to promote community development in the rural communities of Ica, Peru.