Here, we are mentioning some Principles for Transitional settlement and reconstruction principles.
Principle 1. Support the affected community. The first and main effort in responding to an emergency is always made by the affected community. The impact of the disaster on the community must be ascertained and appropriate support provided to local responses when these are appropriate and safe. Support must also be based on an understanding of the different roles and resources of individuals and groups within the community. Assessments (Principle 3) provide an understanding of these factors.
Principle 2. Coordinate and promote a strategy for response. Coordination between governmental and international stakeholders must be based on a consensus strategy, developed and maintained with the participation of the affected population and government. A coordinated response strategy aims to support the government, filling gaps where necessary. The strategy should cover the entire response, from the initial crisis, to recovery, and to the point at which durable solutions are reached for every member of the affected population. Transitional settlement, reconstruction and risk reduction should be linked to or compatible with national planning mechanisms and programs for sustainable development. The strategy must be consistent with international and national law, and with the standards and principles agreed upon among stakeholders. This should ensure that assisting groups respond to the needs of the affected population, regardless of whether or not they owned land or property, and include all vulnerable groups. Principle 3. Maintain continuous assessment of risk, damage, needs and resources. Emergency assessments, followed by ongoing assessments, monitoring and evaluation, are essential to a successful response. The strategy for a response should be reviewed and updated according to the results obtained from this ongoing process. Principle 4. Avoid relocation or resettlement unless it is essential for reasons of safety. Affected communities should not be displaced or resettled unless it is absolutely essential to avoid risks from physical hazards (see Principle 5). Displacement is likely to exacerbate the impacts that a disaster has on the property, social connections and livelihoods, in both rural and urban environments. Remaining at home or close to home enables survivors to support themselves and recover their livelihoods, as well as helping to prevent problems arising over land tenure. Displacement must always be voluntary and the rights of the affected population respected. Principle 5. Minimize duration and distance, when displacement is essential, if displacement is essential for reasons of safety (see Principle 4), the displaced population should be supported to minimize the duration of their displacement and the physical distance from their place of origin. Minimizing the duration and distance of displacement enables people to recover their social connections and livelihoods as quickly as possible.
Principle 6. Support settlement and reconstruction for all those affected. Support must be offered to all affected persons, regardless of whether or not they are land or property owners or living in houses or apartment buildings. Families hosting displaced populations must also be included. Assisting groups should identify and monitor major problems facing the response so that the needs of all affected persons can be met, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and age. This includes people who settle in a new location. A variety of solutions should be considered.
Principle 7. Ensure rights and secure tenure for all those affected . Security of tenure and property rights must be achieved for all those affected, whether they were previously illegal or informal occupants of their homes, tenants, or owners. Support must therefore be provided to the establishment of these rights for all members of the affected population, including those initially without property rights. This support must take place as early as possible, to ensure that displaced persons can return home as quickly as possible. The reconstruction of homes and communities can only begin once such issues are resolved. Displaced persons also require the security of tenure while displacement lasts in the place where they are currently living.
Principle 8. Support the affected population in making informed choices. The affected population must be presented with a selection of transitional settlement options based upon their initial choices, where appropriate, with enough information to make informed decisions.
Principle 9. Ensure that vulnerability to disasters is not rebuilt. It is vital that the opportunity provided by disasters to raise awareness and undertake mitigation and measures which reduce people’s vulnerability to future events is taken. Vulnerability must be reduced by incorporating specific risk reduction activities and measures into the transitional settlement and reconstruction response, for example, increasing the hazard resistance of buildings being reconstructed.