Back to the Future : How the Lack of Land Delimits Recovery Following a Natural Disaster

Abstract: Almost two years have passed since the strongest typhoon (Haiyan) ever to make landfall ripped through the Philippines. The typhoon left no one untouched, and many people are still struggling to recover. To pinpoint the specific mechanisms affecting a person’s ability to recover is not an easy task as all individual experiences are different. Previous studies have eloquently introduced variables that may affect the speed of post-disaster recovery, but some are still unknown or underexplored. With this thesis, I strive to contribute in filling this gap by suggesting that land tenure could be added as a variable of importance. Based on a field study, constituted by 441 surveys answered by people affected by the typhoon, as well as interviews conducted with relevant stakeholders of the recovery process, this thesis will propose to argue that even though there is no statistical evidence connecting tenure security with a speedy recovery, the lack of land delimits and delays recovery projects. The results do also indicate that the current buzzword of post-disaster recovery, social capital, yet again confirms its alleged role among the already established variables affecting the speed of recovery.