Homelessness in Eduador the Objective

Homelessness in Eduador

The objective of this work is to examine homeless people in Ecuador and to answer questions regarding the number of homeless individuals in Ecuador and to analyze the problem of homelessness in Ecuador. This work will seek to understand the sociological importance of homelessness in Ecuador and to discern what scholars have stated concerning this problem. Finally this work seeks to examine any major changes that have occurred in the Ecuador society due to the problem of homelessness.

The work of Conner (2007) entitled: "In Spite of it All: Ecuador's NGOs states that the socio-economic realities of Ecuador "are for many as grave as they have ever been...74.9% of the Ecuadorian population remains unemployed or sub-employed while well over half of the nation lives under the poverty line. Moreover, as the cost of living has risen drastically in the wake of dollarization, the per capita GNP and the GDP have consistently decreased for the past several years, bringing more hardship and suffering to those who have spent the past decade struggling to hold on. Meanwhile, with neoliberal measures steadily diminishing the State's role in the economy as well as its ability to maintain any kind of social welfare infrastructure, and with the government dedicating roughly half of the nation's resources to keeping up with interest payments on its USD 12 billion external debt, Ecuador has been unable to count on the State to act as a benefactor." (Conner, 2007)

I. DISASTERS & HOMELESSNESS in ECUADOR

In 1999, the Tungurahua volcano erupted and 25,000 people were evacuated with 1,700 being left homeless. This disaster cannot even compare to the disaster of April 2008 when rain and floods uprooted approximately 300,000 people from their homes leaving over 14,000 living in shelters and schools in the area. Sadly, approximately forty percent of the displaced are children. In February of the same year (2008) flooding resulted in a state of emergency being declared by authorities in Ecuador. There were 16,000 individuals that had been evacuated to shelters with half of these being children. Flooding was also reported in March, 2002 leaving 6,000 people homeless and again in 2002 the Tungurahua was reported to be erupting displacing and making individuals homeless in Ecuador. Disasters are ongoing in Ecuador including the two earthquakes of 1987 that measured 6.0 and 6.8 on the Richter scale. The journal article reporting this incident states: "The direct impact of the quake and the ensuing heavy rains caused a natural dam to dislodge, sending a torrent of mud and rocks onto nearby villages. The mudslides destroyed roads and communications systems, making it difficult to reach the affected rural area and obtain precise information on needs. At least 300 people are known dead with several thousand missing. An estimated 10,000 families were left homeless and relocated in temporary tent camps, a less-than-ideal situation due to the potential public and environmental health problems these settings pose. Epidemiological surveillance systems have been established to monitor a possible increase of diarrheal disease and respiratory infections. During the initial rescue effort, some 800 to 1,000 persons were evacuated to Quito; this could pose problems of adjustment to the altitude and cold as well as problems of relocation at a later date." (Disasters Preparedness and Mitigation - Issue No. 30 - April, 1987 (PAHO)

II. HOMELESSNESS STUDY

2002 study reported in the work of Tobin and Whiteford entitled: "Community Resilience and Volcano Hazard: The Eruption of Tungurahua and Evacuation of the Faldas in Ecuador" states that community resilience "is addressed through a broad examination of historical, political, geophysical, culture and epidemiological processes at work in two provinces, Chimborazo and Tungurahua, Ecuador, both in the shadow of the volcano, Mr. Tungurahua." (Tobin and Whiteford, 2002) This volcano "has been active on many occasions..." It is related that when the volcano erupted local resident were evacuated and in fact approximately 26,000 people "were moved to privet homes, hostels and government shelters elsewhere in Tungurahua and Chimborazo where some remained for more than a year." (Tobin and Whiteford, 2002) Outcomes of such disasters include not only homelessness but as well include contraction of diseases, children being unable to attend school, loss of money, loss of crops, political turmoil, theft of possessions and death. In what is an already poverty stricken country, the loss of ones' home, crops, livestock, and meager possessions means immediate stark poverty for those already struggling in Ecuador.

III. HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

The work of Cleuren and Henkemans (2003) entitled: 'Development of the Bamboo Sector in Ecuador: Harnessing the Potential of Guadua Angustifolio" relates that the bamboo species "...Guadua angustifolia has a long cultural tradition in the coastal lowlands of West Ecuador. Despite its excellent mechanical properties and versatility, it has mostly been used as a raw material for low-cost housing, while further product development has been very limited until now. In the last years, a Guadua revival seems to have occurred and improved building techniques together with other commercial applications are slowly getting momentum." (Cleuren and Henkemans, 2003) However, it is noted that this sector in the country of Ecuador is "...still in the initial stage of development and the first investments in artisanal workshops and in industrial applications are now being developed. However, the production chain is hardly organized, the actors lack strategic planning and the activities in the different stages of the chain are not synchronized. The challenge is to link the processing industry to a rural supply system benefiting the impoverished part of the population. The management and primary processing of Guadua culms could become an important income source for Ecuador's rural poor, provided that they are supported in the acquirement of basic skills and the development of small enterprises. Moreover, planting Guadua has several environmental advantages and, thus, may offer a win-win scenario resulting in genuine sustainable development. This article tries to answer the question if Ecuador is on the right track towards such development and whether this trend stands on its own, or could be exemplary for other countries in South America with large bamboo resources." (Cleuren and Henkemans, 2003) the work of Ofori (nd) entitled: "Construction in Disaster Management" relates that in countries such as Ecuador which are prone to disasters, "...the situation is getting worse. Moreover, the frequency of disasters and their effects seem to be increasing. Of the 100 most costly natural disasters of the 20th century, 65 occurred in the 1990s, 25 in the 1980s and 10 in the 1970s, and much fewer in previous decades. Much of the physical damage from disasters is to products of the construction industry." (nd) Ofori relates that in 1996, the Habitat Agenda was passed which "...urged local, national and international action to enhance capabilities in disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness; and the Draft Declaration on Cities and other Human Settlements in the New Millennium." (Ofori, nd) the Draft Declaration states: "...committing the international community to improving prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities with the cooperation of national and international networks in order to reduce the vulnerability of human settlements to natural and human-made disasters, and to implement effective post-disaster programs for the effective human settlements aimed, inter alia, at meeting immediate needs, reducing future disaster risks and making rebuilt human settlements accessible for all." (Ofori, nd) it is held that the need for research and development exists in relation to various factors relating to the links between constructed dwellings and disasters including: (1) the changing patterns of the causes of disasters and their implications for construction; (2) appropriate design in response to local knowledge on the impact of disasters on constructed items; and (3) suitable construction materials and methods, which enhance the capability of, constructed items to withstand disasters. (Ofori, nd)