Peruvians build safer homes to withstand natural disasters
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In Peru, families are increasingly focused on building secure homes as the country faces recent earthquakes and warnings about the El Niño weather pattern.
A recent study by Grade revealed that 71% of the 6.6 million urban homes in Peru are self-built, a process that takes families an average of 16 years to complete. During construction, families spend roughly eight years living in highly vulnerable conditions, followed by another eight years with the building still unfinished.
The study also found that 80% of these self-built homes do not follow proper construction practices, raising concerns about their structural integrity. While building incrementally is a common way for families to achieve homeownership, experts emphasize the need for planning, including assessing the land, using professional designs, and adhering to the National Building Regulations. Unacem, through Cemento Sol, is working to encourage safe construction practices with the motto “Protege lo que construyes” (Protect what you build).
The company has trained over 128,000 construction workers to date. Although Peruvians cannot prevent natural disasters, they can make choices to lessen the impact of earthquakes and heavy rainfall by prioritizing safe building from the start.
