Construction of Traditional Houses Under ECHO / ActionAid Support

In partnership with ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Aid) and ActionAid, Swabhiman Samiti facilitated the construction of 78 traditional houses in 3 revenue villages and 8 hamlets in Uska Bazar. This initiative aimed to provide shelter to those in need, especially in flood-affected areas where many families had lost their homes.

1. Objective of the Program:

The primary objective of this program was to:

• Construct traditional houses for marginalized families who were living in inadequate conditions.
• Empower the community by allowing them to take part in the selection process for the beneficiaries.
• Ensure safe, durable housing that would provide protection against natural disasters, such as floods, which frequently affect the region.

2. Selection Process:

The beneficiaries for the housing project were selected through a community-driven approach:

• Community meetings were held in each of the 8 hamlets.
• The members of the community collectively chose the beneficiaries, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in the process.
• After the community validation, the names of the selected beneficiaries were included in the final list, following a verification process conducted by the Swabhiman Samiti team.

3. Construction of Houses:

The houses were constructed on the land provided by the beneficiaries. Swabhiman Samiti ensured that the houses met the required standards for safety, durability, and sustainability.

• Each house was built using traditional materials, suitable for the local environment.
• The average cost of constructing one house was approximately ₹26,000.