Evaluation of the emergency housing repair program (E.S.F. 664-0329 B)

The funds have been used effectively. An Award Commission selected 1,444 beneficiaries from a list of 1,856 candidates for relief. Beneficiaries were chosen according to the amount of flood damage to their homes and their annual income (less than 2500 dinars per year). Each beneficiary received a loan of 200-300 dinars, free of interest and repayable in five years. An average beneficiary had an income of 716 dinars and his/her home had been damaged 40.6%. The average house was about 82 sq. meters, with 2-4 rooms, and no indoor plumbing. Most of the beneficiaries lived in remote areas; administrative assistance provided by the Direction Regionale de l'Equipment was inadequate, so local authorities (Omdas) helped beneficiaries to fill out the necessary forms. Administrative procedures were very simple and a minimum of documents was required. The only negative side to the program was the poor repayment record for the loans, but this was perhaps to be expected given the extreme poverty of the beneficiaries (20% had no income). This is a social problem which must be resolved with the help of the institutional authorities. The program could perhaps have been improved by a system that adapted the loan amount to the financial capacity and needs of the lender. (Author abstract, modified)