UNIA No.: 670

Colombia recovers from earthquake disaster / producer, Litewski, Chaim. -- New York: DPI, 28 February 2000. (3 min., 22 sec)

In January 1999, 1,200 people died when Colombia was hit by an earthquake. It measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. There was massive destruction as buildings in the village of Quebrada Negra toppled. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is training people to rebuild their homes in exchange for food. The new homes are being built with earthquake resistant materials, available locally. UNDP's research revealed that bamboo is the safest and most economical alternative to bricks for construction. It is earthquake proof and offers attractive housing which could last for 100 years.

UNDP helps Tanzania upgrade urban settlements / producer, Taha, Kamil; Chan, Patricia. -- New York: DPI, 1 Dec. 1997. (3 min., 31 sec)

An urban settlement near Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania's capital, has successfully transformed itself from a squatter dump into a modelcommunity. This migrant community of 19,000 is
determined to upgrade its living conditions. With the help of UNDP, basic services are in place such as water and sanitation facilities as well as small businesses that provide
jobs for its residents.

Quality of housing deteriorates as poverty intensifies in Bulgaria / producer, Litewski, Chaim. -- New York: DPI, 4 Mar. 1996. -- (3 min., 43 sec)

The transition to a market economy has been difficult for Bulgarians. Four-fifths of the working population earn wages below the minimumstandard. The housing situation is so bleak that thousands of families will soon lack decent and affordable accommodations. UNDP is assisting the government to develop incentives for the private sector to build better homes.

Rehabilitating communities in Mazar, Afghanistan / producer, Mendoza, Danila. -- New York: DPI, 15 Jan. 1996. -- (3 min., 33 sec)

UN Habitat is working with local communities to rehabilitate war-damaged infrastructures in Mazar, Afghanistan. In the small community of Ulmarab, the UN has convinced the Shura, or male elders, to allow women to engage in income-generating opportunities and activities to improve their community.

UN habitat helps rebuild Kabul / producer, Mendoza, Danila. -- New York: DPI, 23 Oct. 1995. -
(4 min., 4 sec)

More than a decade of civil war has left Afghanistan's capital In shambles and two-thirds of its one million inhabitants displaced. Kabul's municipal government is working together
with UN Habitat and UN Food for Work programme to rebuild the city's infrastructure. Local leadership and self-help are two vital qualities needed to complete the massive job of getting
Kabul back on its feet.

Dar Es Salaam tries new approaches to urban renewal / producer, Litewski, Chaim. -- New York: DPI, 19 Sept. 1994. -- (3 min., 41 sec)

The growing rate of Tanzania's population, an increase of ten per cent a year, is resulting in a virtual collapse of essential services. Many areas lack proper roads, drainage channels and
appropriate sewer systems. The water run-off from the sewage mixes with rain water and poses a health hazard for citizens. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is providing funds to assist residents to rebuild the infrastructure. Some residents have agreed to use the uncollected heaps of garbage to build up their backyards.