Evaluation of stakeholder satisfaction in Tsunami damaged school reconstruction projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is one of the worst affected countries by 2004 Tsunami, which destroyed two third, of the Island's coastline. This necessitated massive reconstruction drive for recovery in all sectors including housing, healthcare, educational and infrastructure. Achieving stakeholder satisfaction is the key for the success of any project and disaster reconstruction projects are of no exception in this regard. The reconstruction of schools has been virtually completed but it is not yet known whether the stakeholders' interests have been properly addressed. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the stakeholder satisfaction in tsunami damaged school reconstruction projects in Sri Lanka. A literature survey has been carried out on the Tsunami phenomenon, historical facts of disasters in Sri Lanka and damage due to 2004 Tsunami. Data gathered from preliminary interviews and literature survey was used to establish factors of stakeholder satisfaction in questionnaire survey. Data collected using the questionnaire survey was then analyzed using Box Plot analysis. The research reveals that the stakeholders of all categories are satisfied with most of the factors especially with the physical reconstruction aspects such as standard of school buildings, adequacy of classroom and infrastructure facilities, adequacy of disaster preparedness measures and child friendly zoning of buildings. But measures such as disaster early warning systems, practice of warning drills and persistent attention on trauma counseling for affected victims were found to be wanting.