Rebuilding communities affected by 8.2 earthquake

During the covid pandemic our work related to food sovereignty has continued. Even in this context, we have managed to continue the reconstruction and reforestation projects; always with previous permission of the communities assemblies. 

Second phase results and beginning of the third stage of earthquake and strong winds resistant kitchens in La Blanca

After the 2017 earthquakes occurred, in La Blanca, Oaxaca, CC carried out an integral diagnostic for the reconstruction of kitchens given their productive importance for women in the region. In total we have finished 20 kitchens- composting toilets and we are currently building 10 more.

During this trimester, as part of this work, reforestation of timber species was made in order to give back to nature what we have taken for the kitchens reconstruction. As part of this activity, the integration and strengthening of two promoters that are currently working in the communitary mapping of natural resources has taken place. These promoters are working alongside the reforestation process team. 

This activity that we use as a part of the Social Production and Management of Habitat process strengthens the communities relation with the territory, reduces environmental impact and gives the communities tools for habitat self-management. In this region we have also consolidated a work group, increased the participation, and promoted the recovery and knowledge exchange that allow the continuation of constructive sovereignty of the communities in the medium and long term. 

Furthermore, we are glad to communicate that we have reached a governmental co-financed fund for 10 bajareque traditional houses reconstruction. This climate and earthquake adapted bajareque houses are destined for high grade vulnerable families that haven't received support for the reconstruction of their houses. 

As part of the formative technique process we carried out a socio environmental diagnostic alongside the families and we built  a bajareque ceren composted toilet. This, with the objective of sharing the necessary technique so that the community learns how to build them, to sensitise in their use and build their own in the future.

Participatory risk diagnostic with San Felipe and Las Conchas, Chimapala, communities 

Due to good results as part of the reconstruction works in La Blanca, San Felipe and Conchas communities contacted CC to begin the reconstruction process in their communities, which are located at the north of Istmo de Tehuantepec, in San Miguel Chimalapa municipality.

In these communities  we performed participative diagnostics, risk mapping and sensibilization on the use of local materials in homes and kitchens.This, in order to strengthen the traditional constructive knowledge from local materials, and to sensibilize on the ecological, economic and social benefits. These workshops have been relevant for the communities being that industrial materials used by governmental reconstruction programs  don't fit with climate and local culture, leaving aside their ancient knowledge related with the sustainable use of natural goods.

Sharing our experience 

Derived from the reconstruction process in 8 communities in which  we have been reducing socio environmental vulnerability since  2017 earthquakes, Universidad Iberoamericana, campus Puebla, invited us to impart workshops on Production, Management and Social Reconstruction of Habitat with risk integral management perspective, and a conference on risk integral management in patrimonial contexts.

On the other hand, Fondo Semillas invited us to impart an integral risk management workshop to a group of local women´ organizations from 30 different communities with whom they  worked on the  reconstruction after the 2017 earthquake. 

We were also invited to present our paper on “Rebuilding bajareque cerén kitchens from traditional knowledge of Oaxaca communities in México” at the International Conference on traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism. 

We are grateful for the invitation extended by GlobalGiving to share our experience during the methodology feedback workshop amongst their counterparts.