Ground-based action funding

Aid Projects, Potable Water — by Geoff Lawton October 21, 2004

Due to an inspiring collaboration between Rainforest Information Centre and Permaculture Research Institute teaching a permaculture design certificate course in Australia, a surplus profit of $AUS1, 500 we have been able to direct towards permaculture extension in Jordan. The same amount was also directed to a Rainforest Information Centre in Ecuador.

Five women actively involved in permaculture home garden development in Jawfa and Jawasari, poor Palestinian refugee villages in the Dead Sea Valley.
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Rebuilding of Kandal Village in Iraq with Permaculture design and strawbale housing

Aid Projects — by Murray Gray October 8, 2004

Resettlement of IDPs in Kandal Village in Makhmur District through training of building alternative houses (strawbale), rehabilatation of their water system, provide basic livelihood elements for income generation; and generally educating the community on sustainable design systems and income generation using the science of Permaculture (Permanence in Culture).

Project Summary

Counterpart International proposes to initiate the resettlement of 34 families of internally displaced persons (IDPs), currently residing in temporary shelters in the village of Kandal Yarmija in Makhmur District, Erbil Governorate, Iraq. The project, IDP Return and Resettlement in Makhmur, will be accomplished through a three-pronged approach, one, the training of IDP laborers in the building of straw-bale housing structures and also on earth works that serves as water reservoir (small dams), two, the subsequent construction of straw-bale housing for IDP residents in this village; and three, provide basic training and techniques for income generation and community gardening. The project cost is 172,233$ in UNHCR support, however Counterpart International will pursue additional funds in order to continue and expand these activities, which promote sustainable, cost- and energy efficient housing for internally displaced persons in Iraq.

IDP Return and Resettlement in Makhmur will be implemented over an 8-week period, from July 17 – September 17, 2003. Based on the needs assessments conducted by Counterpart International Iraq in the village of Kandal Yarmija, discussions held with local government officials of the Makhmur District, and consultations with UNHCR, and experts in energy efficient housing design, Counterpart International has determined that there is an urgent need to provide permanent housing and a sustainable community services for internally displaced persons in Makhmur, in a manner that is cost efficient, energy efficient, sustainable, utilizes local resources, and is easy and quick to construct and establish.

Counterpart International has developed a comprehensive, three-phase strategy for the design, implementation, and evaluation of a high impact, emergency resettlement project, which will immediately respond to the housing needs of 34 families in Kandal Yarmija. This project will begin a process of local capacity building by addressing immediate needs for shelter and fostering community-led recovery as it promotes effective Iraqi implementation of straw-bale housing initiatives. Counterpart will provide full access to water, waste management and electricity and will incorporate all the elements and materials necessary into the housing design.
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