In 1975 a 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook Tajikistan, flattening mud homes and killing up to 20,000 people. A man named Borot lived in a house like no others in the village. Each corner was supported by a large log, locked together with sockets at the base and top of the wall. It was strong — the perfect example of an earthquake-resilient building using local materials. The house was built by Borot’s father and was the only house to survive the earthquake.
But after the earthquake, Borot set about building a new home for his family. When asked if he would build it like his father’s house he said, “I am not stupid. I will build my house the traditional way because I am not crazy like my father.”
Borot’s answer is mind-boggling to most of us. But it explains an important point: it wasn’t a lack of knowledge or a lack of resources that stopped Borot building an earthquake-resilient home. What was missing was a socially acceptable solution. This sort of barrier to earthquake resilience can only be understood at the local level.
About the authors
Louise Ball
Louise Ball is communications officer for the research and policy in development program at the Overseas Development Institute. She has expertise in not-for-profit communications, including strategic development, publication management, social media and digital communications.John Young
John Young is head of the research and policy in development program at the Overseas Development Institute. He leads work on monitoring and evaluating complex projects, particularly in the field of policy influence and advocacy, exploring transdisciplinary approaches to research and understanding and promoting evaluation use and research uptake.
