Disasters, including those resulting from, and exacerbated by, the effects of climate change and overexploitation of natural resources, affect every region. Their impacts are generally severe and long lasting. Individuals and communities living in vulnerable areas such as along the coast and in high seismic zones; those living in inadequate housing conditions; economically weaker sections; minorities; historically discriminated communities; women; and, children are among the worst affected during any disaster.

The challenge before nation states is to ensure human rights-based disaster preparedness and mitigation as well as human rights-based disaster response. Comprehensive efforts need to be made to guarantee that the human rights of the affected population are upheld and that rehabilitation is carried out in a gender-sensitive, appropriate, and participatory manner to ensure the protection of the dignity and human rights of the survivors, especially the most marginalised and vulnerable groups who disproportionately suffer the impacts of a natural disaster.

Among the fundamental human rights that are violated in post-disaster situations are the rights to adequate housing, work/livelihood, food, water, health, security of the person and home, information, and education. Violations of these rights are often exacerbated when relief and rehabilitation measures are not planned and executed from a human rights perspective; are not timely, adequate, and appropriate; and do not take into account the specific needs and concerns of women, children, and other marginalised and vulnerable groups within affected communities.

Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) has prepared these guidelines for both state and non-state actors to implement in the various phases of relief and rehabilitation. The recommendations at this handbook`s conclusion are derived from HLRN’s extensive work, including fact-finding missions, research and consultations, carried out in the post-tsunami relief and rehabilitation process, and are based on international human rights law, standards and guidelines from the United Nations.

HLRN hopes that both state and non-state actors involved in post-disaster response efforts will implement these recommendations and ensure that the right to rehabilitation is upheld as a human right, as stipulated by international law and guidelines.