Awaran Earthquake Update

Awaran Earthquake Update Construction of HFs Seismic-Resistant Zero/Low

Carbon Footprint Shelters
On evening of 19th December 2013, Heritage Foundation team lead by Naheem Shah Project Coordinator Hu-
manitarian Assistance and Ar. Waseem arrived in Awaran to begin construction of prototype seismic-resistant
shelters. Te preparatory initiative has been provided support by Swiss Development Corporation (SDC). Te
team comprises several masons and carpenters who carried with them sufcient material including prefabri-
cated multiple bamboo KaravanJoists in order to complete 10 prototype shelters immediately. Te assignment
is to gauge the difculties on site and to work out ways to deal with feld challenges. A review will take place at
the completion of the assignment by the end of December 2013 and a strategy for implementation will be devel-
oped. It is expected that with the experience gained, a speedy program will be developed and a training program
for implementing organizations, artisans and professional architects and engineers will be taken up by Heritage
Foundation for scaling up the program on the same lines as has been carried out for IOM in Sindh.
Work is in progress on the shelters for vulnerable group e.g. widows/female head of household, orphans un-
der 15 years of age, elderly over 60 years of age, disabled, or those belonging to low poverty level. Although the
assignment was to build 10 shelters, however, in view of the extreme conditions, 12 persons belonging to the
vulnerable group are being provided shelters: Bibi Malok, Ghulam Faruque, Bashir Ahmed, Hameed, Abdullah,
Dost Muhammad, Durs w/o Hussain, Khair bibi w/o Usman, Muhammad Bux, Nawaz, Bibi Hanifa w/o Khuda
Bux and Nawaz s/o Abdullah are being provided shelters immediately. Another 8 families have begun excava-
tions and they will also be provided assistance in getting roofs over their heads.
Tis is the frst seismic-resistant shelter program undertaken for reconstruction in Awaran and is in conformity
with HFs resolve to keep Pakistan in the lead for zero-carbon footprint shelter program in the World.
Since HFs seismic-resistant shelters can be built speedily, and are permanent in nature, it is no longer necessary
to provide transitional shelters or temporary arrangements. Work on the frst shelter was initiated on 22nd and
was completed by 27th including mobilization of the households, retrieving soil and mud bricks from collapsed
houses etc. Work on other shelters is also in progress and other shelters in hand are expected to be completed by
the middle of January 2014.
Te construction is based on the use of unfred clay bricks, available in abundance in the form of earth as well
as mud bricks from the debris. Te walls have been constructed according to laid down procedure to achieve
seismic resistance, which consists of strengthening corners with insertion of bamboo splints and placement of
bamboo lattice in the corners as well as along internal and external surfaces of all walls. Te use of light prefab-
ricated multiple bamboo KaravanJoists and slaked lime in drums that were prepared in HFs base-camp in HFs
Eco-Village Sindh, Tando Allahyar, has helped in speedy construction in spite of the setting in of cold weather.
Te community has been remarkable in its cooperation and hospitality provided to our teams and in under-
standing the guidelines necessary to build safe abodes. Te interest of DFID Shelter Advisor, Mr. Magnus Wolfe-
Murray in seismic-resistant vernacular shelter construction, and assistance provided by HANDS at their Awaran
camp is appreciated.
EAR/2013/04
31st Dec 2013
Destruction caused by Awaran Earthquake.
Woman collecting material from the debris for re-use. View of devastated area where HF is constructing prototype shelters.
People living in make-shif shelters post-earthquake.
Naheem Shah surveying the collapsed structures in Awaran. Collapse of RSJ girders is among the causes of destruction and
casalties during earthquake.
HF team completing the layout to begin excavation. HF team removing debris to start construction of HFs Seismic-
Resistant Zero/Low Carbon Footprint Shelters.
Corner lattice for Seismic resistant structure is placed at plinth, sill,
lintol and ring beam levels.
Family members participating with the HF team for speedy comple-
tion of their shelter unit.
Incorporating traditional bukhari (freplace/chimney) in wall
construction.
First seismic-resistant vernacular shelter built in Awaran. Te methodology allows retroft-
ting and stabilization of existing walls, and re-use of mud brick.
HF team artisan and benefciary constructing the layered mud and
lime plinth.