Landslide – Colombia

Climate: Warm and humid, with mountainous terrain.

After heavy rains triggered a landslide, Diego’s hillside home was buried under mud and rocks. Left with nothing, he and his neighbors worked together to build temporary shelters on flatter ground using salvaged wood and tin sheets. They collected rainwater for drinking. The shelters were small but gave the community a place to regroup and plan for the future.

• Time to Build: 4–6 days (requires collaboration to salvage wood and metal sheets).
• Cost: Cheap ($) – Salvaged materials are low-cost, but time and effort add to indirect costs.
• Local Materials: Yes – Wood and tin sheets are locally sourced or salvaged.

• What materials would you look for if you needed to build a shelter quickly?
  (Would you choose strong materials, insulating ones, or easy-to-find items?)