Publication: Short-Term Plan of Action : Wenchuan Earthquake of 12 May 2008
Date
2008-05
ISSN
Published
2008-05
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Recovery and reconstruction 12 May 2008
Mw 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake will involve a large and complex
series of programs, for which recent earthquake disasters
provide useful lessons, key of which are: (i) the response
or stabilization phase will probably be significantly
reduced during 20-25 May, during which the recovery phase
will scale up and last for several months; (ii) planning for
the recovery phase has to start immediately and be based on
a sound and comprehensive damage and loss assessment; (iii)
housing is a key sector and several crucial decisions will
need to be made very soon, primary of which are whether
housing reconstruction will be predominantly local, on-site,
and owner driven or involve large relocation and more
top-down management. Recent experience in Pakistan and
Indonesia favors the more local, owner-driven model; and
(iv) planning for long-term reconstruction has to begin
early in the recovery phase and will involve key policy
decisions regarding the creation of an 'earthquake
reconstruction authority' or similar agency. This note
provides recommended short-term actions by the World Bank
for the Government of China, within a framework of good
practices in recovery and reconstruction after an
earthquake. The World Bank has assisted partner governments
in this regard in approximately 60 earthquakes, including
most recently the 1999 Marmara (Turkey), 2001 Gujarat
(India), 2004 Indian Ocean (India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and
Thailand), and 2005 South Asia (Afghanistan, India, and
Pakistan). Assistance to these countries constitutes the
largest disaster-related portfolio of the World Bank.
Citation
“World Bank. 2008. Short-Term Plan of Action : Wenchuan Earthquake of 12 May 2008. EAP DRM Knowledge Notes; No. 1. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/bb358fba-1c74-588d-a9f2-2499b72ff192 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”