Humanitarian timber

Workshop report
Humanitarian timber,
7th Feb,
by IFRC

A one day workshop was held in Barisal Bangladesh on 7th February 2008. The workshop was funded by IFRC with support from the shelter working group in Barisal. The workshop was attended by over 90 participants from national and international NGOs, environmental groups, forestry department officials and industry.

The workshop was split into two halves. In the morning focus was pointed at the existing literature and documentation on timber, specifically a review of the current draft of “Timber as a construction material in humanitarian operations”, and “shelter programming recommendations“, Cyclone Sidr Shelter Cluster. The afternoon focussed discussion on Bangladesh with recommendations on issues surrounding timber. There was also a presentation from Oxfam on community training on shelter.

The timing of this workshop is to coincide with the planning of shelter programmes by various organisations. To meet the shelter needs of the cyclone affectees, as well as in the subsequent reconstruction, the majority of shelter and houses will use timber in some form. As timber is a naturally growing construction material, there is significant variation in size, quality, and types available, and sourcing can have significant environmental impacts. Other materials such as bamboo or bricks may be considered for future workshops.

 

 

 

Coordination with stakeholders (forestry, NGO, merchants, transport agencies, warehouse facilities)

A committee should be set up and terms of reference to develop guidance on procurement, Logistics, environmental and specification issues of timber.

Interested parties should be facilitated to coordinate and form this committee.

 

Design of shelters should be based on community culture, traditions, carpentry skills and upon discussions with local people. Special attention should be paid to vulnerable individuals and groups.

During planning and construction participatory approaches should be followed

Construction should be closely monitored and supervised.

Policies of environmental protection should be enforced with training to support implementation

 

Replantation on family plots will be relatively quick as it in the interests of the land owners to maintain them. Tree planting on communal land is to be encouraged but will be a more time consuming venture. 

Diversity in replanting species should be encouraged

The coastal green belt should be conserved and consolidated to reduce further disaster risk

 

Overhead management costs.

Transportation and treatment costs of timber.

Potentially increasing prices of timber and other materials.

Total number of houses required.

What will be funding source?

 

 

Appropriate and safe chemical treatments should be considered to improve thee lifespan of the timber. 

There is a need for training on technical issues about traditional chemical treatment (the most common locally available treatments are Indian oil and kerosene which can be conducted on site. Although there is no law governing the use of treatments, organisations should be aware of the potential health risks and risks to aquatic life of some treatments)

 

Clear identification of standards (understanding of timber) should be established before major procurements

Timber samples can be used to aid specification.

Certifications from major suppliers should be requested.

 

The use of fallen trees should be minimised to reduce wastage

Fallen timber should be harvested to generate income and employment

Trees should be planted on vacant land.

Local national international purchase

The following procurement types will be required

Local procurement. Smaller construction projects and self build by affected families may take place with timber soured from local markets. This will take advantage of windfall timber, but quality and seasoning may be harder to ensure.

National procurement. Larger projects and larger organisations may require timer to be sourced nationally or internationally. National procurement may also be required if local resources do not fit the full demand. This requires specific paperwork for transportation

International timber procurement. This may be required for a few of the largest reconstruction programmes to ensure sustainability and quality. This requires paperwork both for importation (phytosanitary certificates etc.) and paperwork for transportation within country.

 

Timber procurement should take place with clear coordination between organisations and in consultation with forestry department. 

Authorised merchants should be identified and information shared between organisations to avoid duplication.

 

Set common pricing guidelines

Coordination between different procurement agencies

 

Centralise warehouses

Agreements on transportation (especially with regards to paperwork and documentation required) should be established before beginning procurements.

Laws surrounding transportation of timber should not hinder fast movement of timber products for relief operations.