Government Strategy for Reconstruction

Republic of Macedonia
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Coordination Body for Crisis Management
S K O P J E

STRATEGY
for the repair and reconstruction
of damaged buildings and roads
in the crisis areas

CONTENTS

1. OBJECTIVE AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

2. PHASES, ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

3. COORDINATION OF REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

3.1. Coordinating Body for Repair and Reconstruction
3.2. Committee for Repair and Reconstruction
3.3. Team for Repair and Reconstruction
3.3.1. Geographical Information System / Database
3.3.2. Teams for Damage Assessment
3.4. Legal team

4. IDENTIFICATION OF BENEFICIARIES AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE

5. REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

6. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

6.1. Implementation Strategies
6.2. Implementation Mechanism
6.3. Basis for issue of document for construction

Annex A BASIC DATA ABOUT THE CRISIS AREAS

• Map of Municipalities in the Crisis Areas
  
• Ethnic Structure of the Population in the Crisis Areas

Annex B FORMS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF BENEFICIARIES

Annex C AGREEMENTS FOR REPAIR OR RECONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES

• Bipartite agreement for repair of house
  
• Tripartite agreement for reconstruction of house

Annex D CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

• List of construction products by producer
  
• List of construction companies
  
  

1. OBJECTIVE AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

The OBJECTIVE of the repair and reconstruction of the demolished and damaged buildings and roads, as well as clearing away rubble, is to assist the affected population and the Government of RM in the repair and reconstruction and restoring to their original condition all buildings, roads and the environment damaged during the military actions in the crisis areas in the Republic of Macedonia.

Consistency in the approach and coordination are key to the success and development of this strategy. The general basic principles are essential for:

• co-ordination of activities and actors;
  
• identification of beneficiaries and assessment of damage;
  
• standards for repair and reconstruction; and
  
• implementation procedures.
  

The donors and the EU/UN agencies, together with the governmental administration, have elaborated and discussed the general basic principles of the four essential aspects that should provide the general approach for the balanced implementation of assistance through the repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads.

These basic principles will describe the mutual approach agreed by donors, EU/UN agencies, and the governmental administration, based on the rules for implementation of the program for repair and reconstruction. The general basic principles, together with the active participation of all the actors in the regular co-ordination process, will ensure that aid is allocated appropriately and impartially.

The international aid community will collectively be involved in the repair of buildings, in order to facilitate return, as a first phase. The reconstruction of all damaged buildings and roads, with international assistance, (European and other donors have committed funds), will last for a longer period of time.

The most important factors for the realization of the above-mentioned objective are:

• ensuring basic safety of the local population with regard to UXO (un-exploded ordnance) and mines, prior to the complete de-mining of the populated areas where the repair and reconstruction will be performed,
  
• the termination of military activities in the crisis region,
  
• weather conditions up to the determined deadline for completion,
  
• the deposit of funds.

2. PHASES, ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES IN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

The process of the repair and reconstruction will be a 2-phase process.

The international aid community will collectively be involved in the repair of houses, in order to facilitate return, as the first phase. European and other donors have committed funds for a second phase of reconstruction.

The activities and schedule of works in the process of repair and reconstruction of the damaged facilities and roads are as follows:

The priorities in the process of reconstruction and reconstruction will depend on:

• the security situation each area, as well as the presence of UXO (unexploded ordnance);
  
• the displacement of the population from the inhabited place into collective centers;
  
• prioritized needs of the resident and returnee community for schools, ambulates, houses; and
  
• access to the areas of reconstruction.
  
  

3. CO-ORDINATION OF REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION

The assistance in the repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads will be a joint action where the governmental administration, local administration from the crisis areas, bilateral, multilateral and private donors and NGOs will participate. The co-ordination among them will be essential for fair and equitable assistance to the affected population in need. The co-ordination should enable a consistent economical use of the available funds, making the assistance understandable, and without causing tensions among the population as a result of unattainable expectations. The co-ordination will encompass all actors, including the beneficiaries, in one transparent process.

Most donors are expected to define their strategies of implementation and to select their agencies/NGOs performing the operations. Some donors have already made a contribution to the program for the urgent provision of shelter and intend to continue with the assistance in repair and reconstruction of facilities and roads. New donors with their own objectives will join the action for repair and reconstruction. The co-ordination will allow donors to allocate and carry out projects efficiently and to include all areas that need to receive a balanced proportion of the funds.

3.1. Coordinating Body for the Repair and Reconstruction

The co-ordination will occur between the needs of the affected families, donors and the EU/UN agencies, and implementation NGOs that will assist. The co-ordination will optimize the operations for and of the beneficiaries, the EU/UN agencies/NGOs and donors.

Efficient reporting of the work will be a prerequisite for an effective co-ordination, taking into consideration that thousands of affected beneficiaries, with damaged and demolished houses, will be included in the process. The co-ordination will be essential for the provision of funds, in order to maintain the timeframe necessary for the implementation of the programs.

The donors, the EU/UN agencies, the NGOs, the local administration from the crisis areas and the governmental administration will create a Coordinating Body for the Repair and Reconstruction of the buildings and roads in Macedonia, and it will hold meetings once a week.

3.2. Committee for the Repair and Reconstruction

The donors, the EU/UN agencies and the governmental administration will create a Committee for Repair and Reconstruction of the buildings and roads in Macedonia (CRIM). If the need arises, the Committee may include also the representatives from the NGOs and the local administration.

The CRIM will:

• support the consistent development of the programs for repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads by recommending projects;
  
• follow the schedule of the project works;
  
• emphasize the defaults in the assistance thought the repair and reconstruction regarding the allocation of funds, covering of the areas, which need it, as well as to propose the taking of the necessary initiatives;
  
• be the central board for implementation of the projects for repair and reconstruction;
  
• define the priority areas for provision of assistance in the repair and reconstruction;
  
• manage the beneficiary selection process;
  
• identify and recommend the repair and reconstruction project to donors;
  
• verify the progress of the repair and reconstruction projects;
  
• solve problems with implementation;
  
• identify needs; and
  
• reporting results.
  

The CRIM will gather regularly and hold meetings at least once a week, in order to:

• share information related to the repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads;
  
• identification of all the settlements/municipality, which need assistance in repair and that are not included in repair and reconstruction programs;
  
• avoid overlapping of the evaluation and implementation; and
  
• provide and share information on the progress of the ongoing projects.
  

3.3. Team for Repair and Reconstruction

The team for repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads in Macedonia (TRIM) will explain the planned data for the preparation of the donor programs. The data should be adjusted on an accurate basis and include the level of damage by municipality and inhabited places, the assistance provided by the programs for provision of urgent shelter, and offer new information on the donors' engagement in repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads.

The TRIM will develop a monitoring system for the repair and reconstruction process, assisting and managing the implementation of the projects for repair and reconstruction in accordance with the general basic principles. The repair and reconstruction team will support the government administration in the essential capacity building for a timely implementation of the projects for repair and reconstruction. Furthermore, the team will liaise with the actors as regards identification and implementation of programs and prepare the necessary information about the Committee's reaching of decisions for repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads.

The work of the team for repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads will also include a database with a monitoring system observing the development of the repair and reconstruction programs.

3.3.1. Database / Geographical Information System

The data provided by the evaluators will be entered into the database for repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads in Macedonia (DRIM), and used later for the co-ordination of the programs for repair and reconstruction. Also, a monitoring information system will be created providing the data for the identification of project proposals, data for realization of the construction works and for the inhabited places, as well as data for the donors' efforts and the allocation of funds. The database will continuously be updated with the data from the monitoring information system and it will assess the improvement of the programs for repair and reconstruction of the facilities and roads. Besides the data for the programs aided by donors, information will also be collected on the members of the programs for repair and reconstruction of the facilities and roads supported by private entities.

The DRIM which, in future could be expanded into an information system of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will gather information on the beneficiaries and the projects for repair and reconstruction of facilities and roads. The TRIM, together with the agencies/NGOs, will prepare the data and submitted it on standard forms for identification of the beneficiaries, as well as for information about the project. The TRIM will process the submitted data and enters the approved information into the monitoring information system. The data on the realization of the project will be gathered at the weekly coordination meetings of the agencies/NGOs.

The DRIM will collect information on the efforts of the donors. The CRIM will recommend allocation of available funds in accordance with the key for allocation and the main needs.

3.3.2. Teams for Damage Assessment

The formation of the teams for damage assessment of buildings and roads will be authorized and approved by the Committee. The Teams for Damage Assessment will include:

• 1 international team leader;
  
• a multy-disciplinary team of engineers, as required;
  
• 1 evaluator on behalf of the Government; and
  
• representatives from the municipality.
  

The team may be adjusted and broaden in accordance with the local situation.

3.4. Legal team

The legal team will propose measures that will contribute to the process of reviewing of the estate rights. The legal team will have defined functions in both general and legal advice in relation to the property rights and will be representing the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The legal team may assist the implementing agencies during the examination of the estate rights of the selected beneficiaries, subject to the level of demand and the availability of resources. This service will assist in ensuring that the selected beneficiaries have the right to own the assets in question, and that there is a firm legal basis for the proposed repair and reconstruction of the buildings through examination in the cadastre or examination of the proofs for the property rights, according to the following procedure:

• the precise type of documentation that is useful in the procedure for verification of the estate/property rights will be determined;
  
• the list of beneficiaries and the available documentation is to be submitted to the legal team;
  
• the legal team will review and evaluate the submitted documentation;
  
• examinations regarding the records will be conducted, so as to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the documentation; and
  
• based on the available documentation, a statement will be provided verifying the property rights of the beneficiary. It is necessary to understand that this statement is not a final decision on the property rights of the beneficiary, but that it gives the agency a detailed and independent certificate of the rights of the beneficiary in accordance with the relevant property records.
  
  

4. IDENTIFICATION OF BENEFICIARIES AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE

The identification of the owners of damaged buildings will start on a local level at the inhabited place. A list of beneficiaries for a given inhabited place will be proposed by the implementing NGO, based upon the TRIM data. The standard identification form, (Annex B), defined by the CRIM, is to be filled in by each beneficiary of the damaged building and submitted to the municipality. A copy will be submitted to the Ministry. This list will include the identification of vulnerable beneficiaries unable to undertake repair works. The municipality will have five working days in which to propose amendments to the List of Beneficiaries. If no amendments are proposed by the end of this period, or if the municipality agrees to the List prior to the end of this period, the List will come into effect. If amendments are proposed, the implementing NGO will have five working days in which to verify these proposed amendments and report its findings to the CRIM. The CRIM will determine the final List, but its involvement will only be required if amendments are proposed by the municipality.

It is very probable that the disputes in connection with the real estate ownership will also continue in the near future. Without any doubt, these disputes will create a number of difficulties regarding the programs for assistance in the repair and reconstruction of the buildings and roads, and especially during the selection of the beneficiaries. Taking into consideration the circumstances, a risk taken during the provision of assistance to the population that has no legal rights over a house in question is unacceptable. Special attention is to be paid to the fact that the assistance planned for the building and road repair and reconstruction will be according to the allocated funds.

The damage assessment will be a 2-stage process.

In stage 1, teams for damage assessment will perform a damage assessment in order for the donor community to get an overview of the estimated cost of the damage and municipalities. The basic action of the teams for damage assessment of buildings is performing categorization of the buildings according to the level of damage.

Damage categorization of the structures is carried out in case of war destruction because the great number of damaged buildings means that it is not possible to establish the amount necessary for repair of each building separately but it is necessary to do a general assessment of the damage.

The damages are put in 4 categories. While, the 4th category includes the destroyed structures as well as those, which are not completely destroyed, but their damages are so serious that the repair is not worthwhile. Description of the damages for each category is given as:

• Category U - Undamaged, or minimal cosmetic damage that needs no further attention.
  
  
• Category 1 - Slight damage due to conflict activity, replacement of damaged roof tiles and minor damage to roof cover, flashings, gutters and down pipes, replacement of glazing, patching and painting on walls, replacement or repair of window frames and repair of existing ironmongery, repair of doors.
  
  
• Category 2 - Mostly slight, but with some more significant damage. Perforations in walls require masonry repair, patching and painting, repair of some internal surfaces, some repair to electricity, replacement of broken sanitation utensils (toilets, bowls etc), localized repair to roof structure, replacement or repair of missing roof covering, replace missing window frames and glazing, fit new ironmongery, repair/replace doors.
  
  
• Category 3 - Significantly damaged, but repairable. Extensively masonry repair, repair or replacement of structural elements, extensive repair to internal walls and electricity installations, refitting of water systems, repair of roof structures, new roof cover, chimney needs checking, complete redecoration internally and externally.
  
  
• Category 4 - Heavily Damaged. Heavily destroyed, needing new external walls and structural elements, complete interior - walls, doors, floor and wall finishing's, all electrical and sanitary installations, new roof structure, gables, roof cover, insulation and chimney, new windows and door frames, ironmongery and glazing. Probably not feasible to repair and reconstruction needed.
  

The organizer of the works on the damage categorization has to hold a meeting with the team. The meeting should deal with the detailed analysis of the given descriptions of the damages as to provide the task on the damage categories to be carried out in a unique way.

The number of buildings selected in the sample defined for each damage assessment, which depends on the total number of damaged buildings. The percentage for a given category that will be applied for the global damage assessment is calculated by putting in relation the estimate repair costs and the cost value. The levels of damage are established as the same for the whole area in the country.

It is duty of the teams for damage assessment to provide the percentages that designate the extent of damage, which for the selected buildings, will determine what amount of funds, are required for repair of each building.

In stage 2, detailed damage assessments will be undertaken from implementing agencies, which enable the preparation of Bills of Quantity (BoQ) and necessary documentation by the law. The priced bill of quantities for the costs should be prepared on the basis of the basic items of the works; no matter how old is the building. The basic actions of the teams for damage assessment of buildings are as follows:

• for the buildings with damages, during its inspection, the team defines the positions and quantities of the specific work, which determines the level of damage,
  
• the constructive damages of the buildings are defined by photographing the building, preparing a project of the existing situation, proposed measures for building reconstruction, preparing the project for enforcement with a bill of quantities and pre-evaluation for defining the cost.
  
• for buildings that were torn down or set up on fire, the basic parameters are being photographed and the cost for cleaning up of the area as well as for the construction of an appropriate building with appropriate construction system is defined.
  

Data processing is made for all buildings and the level of damage is defined for separate inhabited places and municipalities.

5. REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

The general standards for repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads will harmonize the access of all investors, NGOs and local actors, within the frame of the available resources on the widest possible coverage of beneficiaries and equal allocation of the provided assistance.

The general standards refer to the repair of the damaged homes and the construction of new houses based on the following principles:

• The repair works will facilitate the return of families to a livable condition within the frames of the owners/legal beneficiaries' construction of the house by returning it to its original condition, will stabilize the living conditions of the present beneficiaries and will provide protection from rain, wind and cold weather, for the beneficiaries and their personal belongings;
  
• The reconstruction works, in terms of quality of the material and manner of implementation will be achieved in accordance with the current laws and regulations. The overall work, whether it is a self-assistance or otherwise, should be performed in accordance with an adequate and commonly accepted professional standard.
  
• The external traces of war action (larger holes in the external walls which in the long term can cause facade deterioration) will be repaired / reconstructed.
  Repairs and reconstruction will be made to the following standards, up to the original state of the house, i.e. if facilities were not originally up to the standards described, they will be repaired or reconstructed to the original state only.
  

The selected buildings of the beneficiaries, regardless of the level of damage inflicted during the conflict period, will be repaired or reconstructed in order to satisfy the technical solutions and the specifications for rehabilitation work, which are:

Roofs - Reconstruction of the whole roof structure including original roofing material or a suitable alternative. Height of the chimneys should be min. 50 cm above the ridge. Thermal insulation, according to local conditions to be applied if the top floor is occupied. Hydro insulation to be applied if attic space is inhabited or if the roof is flat. Gutters to be fixed in areas where rainwater is used in the household or the eaves of the household or the eaves of the house are less than app. 20 cm. wide. All openings in attic to be closed to avoid lifting up the tiles due to wind pressure.

All ventilation channels to be lead through the roof construction / material.

For apartment buildings additionally ventilation ducts, parapet walls and access doors and other facilities / installations should be repaired / replaced.

Apartment buildings are to be equipped with lightening protection, if missing.

External Walls - Reconstruction of all external walls, including repair of any load bearing beams and columns using original materials or a suitable alternative. External walls to be plastered in order to cover all signs of damages, in relation to the repairs, if the remaining parts of the building are already plastered.

External Openings - Missing windows to be replaced in rooms to be inhabited with the original size windows with thermal insulation glass with suitable glass dimension. Windows may also be wing-to-wing type. Damaged windows and frames are to be repaired, and fitted with single layers of glass in suitable dimension or thermal insulation glass- according to local climate.

External doors with standard locks are to be provided for the existing openings. Doors and windows to be painted or protected by a suitable alternative.

Windows and external/internal doors are to be provided not only for the rooms to be made habitable, but to be installed in a way and number that secures a "weather tight" habitable unit.

Remaining external openings must be closed against weather and interaction as appropriate.
In apartment buildings additionally all windows and doors in the common areas to be repaired /replaced/glazed to pre-damage standard.

Internal Doors - Internal doors to be provided to rooms to be inhabited by the household.
They will be as originally fitted type, standard flush doors, or suitable alternative, including all iron mongery. Existing doorframes are to be re-used wherever possible, and fitted with new door leaves.

Internal doors to be painted or treated by using suitable alternative.

Internal Walls - Internal walls in the rooms to be inhabited will be repaired, plastered and decorated with white emulsion paint/white wash.

In apartment buildings additionally the walls in the entrance lobby and stairwells should be repaired .

Ceilings - Ceilings will be repaired, plastered and decorated in the rooms to be inhabited to the same standard as the walls.

Wooden planed boards used for finishing of ceilings /lean-to walls, must be of min. 20 mm thickness.

Where the ceiling is on the top floor level repair works are to include thermal insulation, if possible to fit correctly.

Floors - Ground floor concrete slabs should be finished with a 1/2, tar/bitumen treatment if the ground floor will be inhabited. Untreated wooden floors to be fitted, and insulated with thermal insulation (thickness to be calculated accordingly) if the ground floor will be inhabited. If the floor to be inhabited is an upper floor only untreated wooden floors to be fitted.

In apartment buildings the flooring materials should be similar to pre - damage conditions. This could be vinyl tiles in kitchen and lobby, and parquet floors/carpets in living rooms/bedrooms.

Kitchen - The kitchen to be equipped with an app. 150 cm kitchen combination unit (can be smaller where space is limited) equipped with a stainless steel sink, tap (s) and a laminated desktop. Ceramic tiles, or other waterproof finish, to be applied above the unit to a height of 45 sm. A wood burning stove to be provided if necessary, and if not supplied by other donor/agency.

Bathroom - The standard of the bathroom should be adjusted to the pre-damage standard/ tradition in the specific area/ settlement. The bathroom to be fitted with the following:

• one shower basin or bath tub
  
• one 50 cm hand wash basin complete with taps
  
• one 50 l electric boiler complete with bath tap/shower fittings
  
• one water closet of appropriate design complete with a seat where appropriate
  

Toilet/bathroom floor to be fitted with ceramic floor tiles.

Ceramic tiles (or other approved waterproof finish) to be fixed along the bath tub, or in a shower basin / area of minimum 90x90 cm. to a height of app. 170 cm above the floor. Remaining walls to be given waterproof finish. Upper walls to be painted with emulsion paint/white wash.

Water installations - Damaged/leaking installations in the dwelling to be repaired / replaced.

In case of public supply a meter should be installed in manhole with cover. The connection to the public mains should be checked/re-established in co-operation with the utility company. If there is no public supply, but rainwater tank or well, the existing pump to be repaired /connected/provided. Repair, cleaning and disinfections of the rainwater collection/well should be provided.

Electrical Installations - Distribution board (cabinet) including main house fuse(s) next to meter, house fuses, differential circuit breaker and an appropriate meter should be installed and prepared for the connection to the public supply (low voltage network) by installing of house connection set (normal installation for the area). In case of heavy damage to a board (cabinet) inside the dwelling, an approved out door cabinet - with all installations, should replace the previous installation.

If the low voltage network is rehabilitated in the area, the single piece connection cable/cable in the ground from the board (cabinet) to the network should be connected /reestablished in co-operation with the utility company.

Every room up to app. 15 m2 to be inhabited to be fitted with one light fitting, one light switch and two (in kitchen area 3) earthed safety sockets. Rooms larger than 15 m2 / or combined kitchen-living room / L-shaped room to be fitted with 2 light fittings, 2 switches and 3 earthed safety sockets.

The bathroom to be equipped with a waterproof light, one splash proof earthed safety sockets (washing machine a.o.) and a standard light/boiler combination switch. All switches for the bathroom to be placed outside the bathroom.

The above standard for the fittings / sockets applies when the room is being replastered.
Otherwise the existing network to be used/repaired or reconstructed.

In apartment buildings additionally an approved central distribution board with all necessary equipment including main fuse board, two-tariff meter for every apartment, one for the common areas, and tariff clock(s) should be installed.

Gas Installations - If already available in the dwelling, and if cost efficient, gas installations use for cooking and/or heating of the dwelling should be rehabilitated in accordance with rules and regulations.

Sewerage - Damaged/ leaking installations to be repaired/replaced.
The connection to the public sewerage system should be checked/re-established in coordination with the utility company.

If septic tank/soakage pit, it should be checked and, if necessary, cleaned and / or repaired.
Lift - Existing lifts to be repaired and made operational complying with all safety requirements. The lifts are also to be provided with new internal safety doors, if missing.
Thermal Insulation - Thermal insulation should be installed in compliance with national standards, sub-roofs, membranes; ventilation voids, etc. must be installed in accordance with current standards.

Heating - A wood burning stove to be provided. Existing individual central heating systems may be renovated if considered cost effective. If rooms to be inhabited are situated on different floors, separate chimney outlets should be provided.

In apartment buildings the common central heating system to be repaired wherever existing. As a minimum requirement living room, kitchen, bathroom and if possible bedrooms, are to be provided with suitable radiators. If the common heating system will not be repaired / is not existing wood burning stove to be provided - if adequate chimney (s) is existing. Connection to district heating is desirable, if operational. Any works on public network heating outside the boundaries of the apartment building will be the responsibility of others.

Structural works - In case of high category of damage, the new structural works should be done in a way to comply with current seismic regulations in the area. If structural works to be done partially on the already existing structure, the works should improve (where possible) seismic safety of the structure.

For apartment buildings all structural works to be calculated / dimensioned and supervised by qualified structural engineer.

Disabled people - Provisions should be made for disabled people, if any in the household. Door steps and stairs to be avoided and replaced with ramps where possible. Layout of rooms and dimensions of doors to allow for wheel chairs. Further works, if necessary, to be carried out to suit individual cases to current standards for disabled people.

In apartment buildings areas the access and use of public spaces should be improved as well, as a part of the repair or rehabilitation program.

The standards for the repair or rehabilitation of residential buildings will apply unless the donor / implementing agency in their project documentation clearly specifies / justifies any variation (without changing overall goals or the quantity level for the repair or rehabilitation) in regard to the proposed level of standards.

The agencies will ensure the quality of the professional implementation of the construction activities, including the adequate elaboration of the projects, their revision and control over the construction works. The agencies have either engaged an authorized professional personnel or they co-operate with authorized local companies in order to guarantee the legal standard implementation.

The agencies will keep the project's documentation and the reports on the monitoring of the implementation in accordance with the standard legislation, signed by the authorized experts. The project's documentation will be available to the MoTC responsible urban department.

The repair and reconstruction projects will consider the probability that the buildings will need vertical or horizontal broadening. Where completely destroyed objects are reconstructed, the foundations and the bearing capacity elements may have the capacities for additional foundations and/or to be broadened. Possible future options will be considered.
Local skills and capacities, (Annex D), will be developed and supported to the highest possible level.


6. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

6.1. Implementation strategies

The implementation strategies will be applied so as to conduct the assisted repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads. There is a broad range of options for implementation of the programs for repair and reconstruction of buildings and roads, and we believe that the definition of the parameters within which the assistance will be awarded and the recommendations regarding the most appropriate strategies for certain groups, should be determined by the CRIM.

The implementation strategy should:

• provide appropriate legal basis for the repair/reconstruction works
  
• ensure that the beneficiary is the legal owner of the building
  
• ensure that people will return to the buildings that were reconstructed for that purpose and to avoid a single family receiving assistance for more than one house.
  

A wide variety of options exist for implementing reconstruction programs, but most used are two different strategies, which could be used to deliver assistance, are contracted reconstruction and assisted reconstruction.

These two different strategies define a very wide range of possible interventions; but several critical criteria present themselves, which are relevant to all options. These criteria include level of implementing agency involvement necessary, level of beneficiary participation required, logistical requirements, associated costs, access to the areas and timeframe.
The strategies involve the procurement and distribution of materials as an in kind contribution to beneficiaries, while others call for the provision of vouchers to allow the beneficiary to decide on the exact mix of materials purchased, and take full responsibility for procurement and transport.

6.1.1. Contracted Repair or Reconstruction

This strategy involves the contractor for the reconstruction of housing and would supply not only materials, but also skilled labor to the beneficiary. The strategy is mast appropriate for the vulnerable population in rural areas that lack the resources or skills to reconstruct their own house. It is imperative that the contract be established with clear and enforceable penalties for missing target dates and poor quality work.

6.1.2. Assisted Repair or Reconstruction

A wide variety of options exist for assisted reconstruction, but most used are . This strategy could be self-help with materials provided on site, self-help with materials in central depot, voucher system and cash distribution.

6.1.2.1 Self-help strategy with materials provided on site is the implementing strategy, whereby an implementing agency visits a community and establishes, on a household basis, what materials are required. The implementing agency takes responsibility for transporting the goods to the inhabited place, and is usually also responsible for procurement and storage. This is one of the key strategies for assisted reconstruction.

6.1.2.2. Self-help strategy with materials in central depot involves the collection of construction materials, from which material is issued to implementing agency, community groups and other requestors. It is based on two assumptions: first, that the depot will contain construction material for which requests can be made, and is nor simply a consolidated warehouse for identified implementing agencies. Applications are submitted by the requesting entity, approved by the CRIM, and transport of materials is arranged-by the requestor, or donor-funded transportation assets. In most cases, an implementing agency or community group requests the materials in bulk, not individuals themselves. The self-help depot strategy is recommended, particularly in instances where it is critical to transport and receive large amounts of materials for secondary distribution - when local suppliers are not used.

6.2. Implementation Mechanism

General Implementation Mechanism will be as follows.

1. Damage assessment is undertaken by TRIM;
   
2. A list of beneficiaries for a given village will be proposed by the implementing agency, based upon the TRIM data, and submitted to the responsible municipality. A copy will be submitted to the Ministry. This list will include the identification of vulnerable beneficiaries unable to undertake repair works;
   
3. The municipality will have five working days in which to propose amendments to the List of Beneficiaries. If no amendments are proposed by the end of this period, or if the municipality agrees to the List prior to the end of this period, the List will come into effect. If amendments are proposed, the implementing agency will have five working days in which to verify these proposed amendments and report its findings to the legal team;
   
4. Legal team checks legal status of ownership of the house, and submits list to the CRIM
   
5. The CRIM will determine the final List, but its involvement will only be required ifamendments are proposed by the municipality;
   
6. Using the final List of Beneficiaries, the implementing agency will assess the works required in each house to reach the Standards defined;
   

6.2.1. For houses damaged to categories 1 and 2

1. The implementing agency will do the detailed damage assessment of the house, and after that, agrees the materials required with the beneficiary.
   
2. The implementing agency enters into a Bi-Partite Agreement (Annex C) with the beneficiary.
   
3. The implementing agency and the beneficiary signs for the delivery of materials.
   
4. The beneficiary undertakes the works described. In the case of beneficiaries identified as vulnerable, works are undertaken by contractors appointed by the implementing agency.
   
5. The implementing agency monitors the quality of the building.
   

6.2.2. For houses damaged to categories 3 and 4

1. The implementing agency will do the detailed damage assessment of the house, and after that, agrees the works or materials required with the beneficiary.
   
2. The implementing agency will prepare a project of the existing situation, propose measures for a building reconstruction, prepare project for enforcement with a bill of quantities, and on behalf of the owner, participate for building conditions and permits in the competent regional unit within the Ministry of transport and communication
   
3. The implementing agency will enter into a Tri-Partite Agreement (Annex C) with the beneficiary and the Ministry.
   
4. The implementing agency and the beneficiary sign for the delivery of the works or materials.
   
5. The beneficiary or contracting company undertakes the works described.
   
6. The implementing agency monitors the quality of the building and certifies construction.
   

6.3. Legal basis for issue of documents for construction

The b asis for issue of the necessary documents for construction of the building structures is laid down in the provisions of the Articles 31 and 32 from the Act on Area and Urban Planning ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia", Number 4/96, 28/97, 18/99 and 53/01) and in the provisions 19 from the Act on Construction of Investment Projects ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" Number 15/90, 11/91, 11/94 and 18/99).

In line with the above stated legislation, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, on request of the implementing agency, on behalf of the owners, of the damaged building structures, issues the following building documents, which depends on the level of damage of the building structures:

• building conditions for reconstruction of the building structures;
  
• building permit for reconstruction of the building structures;
  

6.3.1. Small scale and more simple construction works (Category 1 and 2)

For the purpose of performing small scale and more simple construction works, described in the provisions form the Rule Book for defining the term small scale and more simple building structures (" Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" Number 26/91), are considered all construction- craft and finishing work on the structures, the water supply installations and drainage, the electricity installations, heating and air - conditioning of apartment building up to four floors and smaller business and public buildings with total area up to 600 m2 , the owner of the building is not bound to provide documents for construction (building conditions and building permit).

6.3.2. Reconstruction of the building structures (Category 3 and 4)

The term "reconstruction", according to the provisions of Article 9 from the Act on Construction of Investment Projects, means caring out works on an existing building structure, which is under rebuilding, adaptation, by which the structural system is significantly changes, or caring out other works on the building structure, if those works have influence on the building structure stability, the security of the neighboring building structures, the traffic and environment protection, fire protection, the health and life's of the people, the water regime, the natural rarities, as well as on the cultural monuments, that is, they change the conditions under which the construction of the building structure has been approved.

6.3.2.1. Building conditions

The conditions for construction of the building structures, are issued exclusively for the inhabited places which have available valid urban planning documents, as it follows:

• inhabited place with a valid General Urban Plan;
  
• inhabited place with a valid Detailed Urban Plan;
  
• inhabited place with a valid urban planning documents passed in line with Article 25 from the Act on Area and Urban Planning ; and
  
• inhabited place with a defined range for construction (building area) and defined way and conditions for construction of the building structures.
  

The conditions for construction, for the inhabited places with available Detailed Urban Plan, are issued directly in line with the planed determinations of the plan, presented in its textual (stipulations for realization) and the graphical part.

For the purpose of issuing the conditions for construction, the owner of the building structure, is bound to submit an application with technical description of the works, which are subject of rebuilding the structure, to the competent regional units within the Ministry of Transport and Communications;

The conditions for construction, for the inhabited places with available General Urban Plan, urban planning documents and a defined building area, are issued on the basis of the previously prepared urban planning project.

For the purpose of issuing the conditions for construction, the owner of the building structure, is bound to submit an application with technical description of the works which are subject of rebuilding the structure and urban planning project, prepared in line with the provisions of Article 32, paragraph 6 from the Act on Area and Urban Planning, to the competent regional units within the Ministry of Transport and Communications;

6.3.2.2 Building permit

After the announcement, that is, the issue of the conditions for construction, the owner of the building structure, is bound to submit an application with investment and technical documents (final design which should include the phases, that is the works which are subject to rebuilding) and an evidence that he is owner of the building structure in question, to the competent regional units within the Ministry of Transport and Communications;

Note: If there is a case of a building structure without previously issued permit for construction of the building structure (illegally constructed structure) the Ministry should determine whether that building structure is in line with the valid planning documents, and if it is the case, to issue a building permit for the whole structure in compliance with Article 19 from the Act on Construction of Investment Projects, while the investor, that is, the owner of the building structure, is bound to pay also the charges anticipated for construction of a new structure, as stipulated in Article 36 from the Act on Area and Urban Planning and Article 19, Paragraph 1, Item 5 from the Act on Construction of Investment Projects.

6.3.3. Technical accuracy of the building structure

According to the provisions of Article 28, Paragraph 6 from the Act on Construction of Investment Projects, it has been determined that for the building structures which are not of public interest as stated by an Act, the technical accuracy of the building structure is confirmed by the professionals which perform technical supervision, by a minutes, which is submitted to the competent state authority which has issued the building permit, and in the minutes it has been stated that the building structure can be used.