Shelter recovery in urban Haiti after the earthquake: the dual role of social capital. Issue 1 (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahill, Guitele J.; Ganapati, N. Emel; Clérismé, J. Calixte; Mukherji, Anuradha
• Is Part Of: Disasters. Volume 38:Issue 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: S73
• Page End: S93
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Disasters -- Periodicals; Disaster relief -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1111/disa.12051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-3666

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This paper documents the culture‐specific understanding of social capital among Haitians and examines its benefits and downsides in post‐disaster shelter recovery following the 12 January 2010 earthquake. The case study of shelter recovery processes in three socioeconomically diverse communities (Pétion‐Ville, Delmas and Canapé Vert) in Port‐au‐Prince suggests that social capital plays dual roles in post‐disaster shelter recovery of the displaced population in Haiti. On the one hand, it provides enhanced access to shelter‐related resources for those with connections. On the other hand, it accentuates pre‐existing inequalities or creates new inequalities among displaced Haitians. In some cases, such inequalities lead to tensions between the have and have‐nots and instigate violence among the displaced.</p> </abstract>