Safer and Healthier Homes: Low-cost and Sustainable House Design and Construction

The purpose of this curriculum is to enhance best construction practices inl ow-cost housing, considering safer construction and environmental, health, and well-being aspects, through shelter design, construction materials, and construction techniques, mitigating risks related to physical and mental health, psychosocial well-being, and environmental issues, as well as integrating disaster risk reduction measures to support the self-recovery process of the communities affected by disasters and extend impact to the wider community. Rains and floods pose a continuous threat to Malawi districts every year. In 2015, the vast amount of households affected by severe rains and floods prompted a State of Emergency and CRS, along with local partners, targeted support of shelter solutions to displaced people in the Phalombe, Zomba and Machinga districts. The purpose of this manual is to guide the construction of the aforementioned house model. It is aimed at householders, artisans and site supervisors in the Malawian context, with the hope of extending impact to the wider community.