Guatemala A.I.D. disaster relief program : reports on post-earthquake distribution of building materials

In the first report, a background review provides information on the emergency itself and on the response by Guatemalan and International institutions. The evolution of AID"s program is subsequently analyzed in terms of the approach AID chose to address specific problems. The program AID developed was based on the approach used by OXFAM/World Neighbors, and stressed participation by the beneficiaries. An alternative approach (which characterizes CARE and Red Cross programs) was rejected by AID because it depended on a highly centralized administration and offered relatively little opportunity for grass roots participation. The reasons for AID"s choice of the participatory approach are discussed in detail. Also included in the first report are an interview with the director of CARE program and a chronological selection of public media articles concerning the disaster and the reconstruction effort. The second report evaluates the success of AID"s program, taking into account the target population, materials used, the involvement of cooperatives, and local perceptions of the program. The report provides data on specific projects, materials, and costs.