since no one commenting so far has been looking at this critically and there seems to be a lack of general awareness about the topic in the community and among the proposer and possibly beneficiaries themselves, i feel it's important to add this here at this time:

i'm not against providing charity and relief where it's practical, and this sounds all shiny and amazing like it would improve Polkadot's ESG score, but this project as outlined basically describes building an entire off-grid (solar & generator powered) town and the supporting infrastructure from the ground up and for which most costs aren't even included or estimated. the maintenance costs alone would be insane and are severely underestimated, and the proposal overall seems to want to rely on the charity of absolutely everyone else involved, including trade workers.

there are no supporting photos or documentation about previous projects the parties have been involved with, and so far as i can tell other 'shipping container villages' or 'life centers', as whitewashed in this proposal, only exist in theory. photos and concept drawings used in the examples https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZHNAgyQLX43FQJ4jx-Jto0q1vYRJi6Tv/view either aren't shipping containers at all (some look like trailers, others are designer homes) or lack such basic detail as wall thickness or interior/overhead views of the proposed layouts at scale, for all of us to see how obviously impractical these would be.

there is a reason why there are plenty of shipping container villages on the internet with histories going years back that will allegedly be built at some point, including the ones described in this proposal, but when it comes down to it never are for practical reasons, and photos you will find of real implementations often look like prison camps, or are clearly luxury homes with material costs 20x what's being suggested here. nevermind the land itself and infrastructure, and architects, welders, and engineers.

with all the modifications shipping containers require to be livable ie: windows, doors, and insulation in an already tiny space, and then imagining cramming 4-5 people in each one as proposed, a prison camp is probably not too far off. all the benefits of using the shipping containers in the first place such as structural integrity and therefore earthquake protection are negated as soon as holes are cut to install windows, doors, plumbing, and equipment on the roof, all of which require structural reinforcement by skilled tradespeople, who will probably be familiarizing themselves (and the project managers - hopefully not too late) with the nuances of working with shipping containers on the job, and the fact they require just as much if not more work to prepare for living in than traditional homes. 

this is not upcycling. this is a dream.

in addition to all the reasons why shipping container homes are a bad idea in general, and why this sounds more like an opportunity for a woke 'sustainable living deployed at the speed of science' feel-good photo op rather than something practical and sustainable for those affected, i'd also like to urge us to not fund development of projects we will inevitably walk away from due to lack of clear ROI or the unrealistic/unsustainable costs, and in general, the myriad 'disaster-of-the-month' relief grifts where we are continually asked to choose  'winners' to receive support. since we can't assist or build villages for them all, perhaps we shouldn't support disaster-relief initiatives outside simple donations, at all.

Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts in print here - I have responded below so it's easily visible to the community.

In response to the reply (from 1H8tZjcaciCkEcU8U1zbPMWx91Y32tbdqgXMqm5PveALCTd) to the above comment:

You clearly aren't interested in reading my answers or understanding the context of the situation on the ground.

The tent cities already exist and are proving to be woefully inadequate. 

As explained in my reply to your previous comment, last week 10 people drowned in them when they flooded out.  

[https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/15/floods-kill-at-least-ten-in-quake-hit-area-in-turkey/]((https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/15/floods-kill-at-least-ten-in-quake-hit-area-in-turkey/).)

I'm all for constructive and informed criticism but I struggle to see the point of your argument - in a previous comment you suggested the container villages would resemble a prison camp, yet you seem to be okay with suggesting people live in tents for a period that will last at least 2 years. I can't see any logic to this argument.

The project proposed here is not one dreamed up by myself as a film-maker, but one I came across after a great deal of research and by talking to journalists, NGOs and experts on the ground - people I knew from from my time working in the region. 

This project is part of a much wider program to build temporary villages and towns across the region out of repurposed containers. 

In fact, this has approach (begun by Turkish civil society organisations such as NeedsMap) has been adopted at a national level by the government.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-quake-toll-tops-48000-govt-races-build-container-cities-2023-03-13/

Rebuilding structural housing in the region is just not feasible for at least 18 months - this is the time experts have estimated it will take for the earth to settle after such a large magnitude of seismic activity - in reality it will take much longer than this to replace the amount of housing lost. As such, temporary, seismically safe housing is essential.

Again I will say backing this project gives DOT holders a clear and tangible means of contributing to one of the best implementations of this idea from a highly respected organisation.















As I was passing through Istanbul today I got the chance to sit down with [Esra Arslan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/esra-arslan-63088314/), co-founder of the beneficiary organisation NeedsMap and project lead for the container village in Hatay.

I was able to put some of the questions from the community to her - please listen [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M7oAbRKsvYmue2qJs7j_GFVOqWzXkZdx/view?usp=sharing) for the full interview

Esra also shared some recent [video](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y6wYT0mDaieWKnH5Igqn6JheMTj0ZgTu?usp=sharing) of the build at Hatay.

In the interview Esra talks about NeedsMaps' history and initial response to the earthquake, the development of the LifeCenters / neighbourgoods project, the choice of containers, design of the centers and plans for social program, the timeline for the build and her hopes that the project will become a model for temporary housing for the wider region.

NeedsMap have now been assigned as the co-lead for early recovery by the UNDP they will be sharing their strategy and techniques with UN organisations working to build temporary housing across the region.

Simon Hipkins, 24 March 2023, Istanbul


Responding to the above comments (from 1H8tZjcaciCkEcU8U1zbPMWx91Y32tbdqgXMqm5PveALCTd) so it's clearly visible to all.

**Firstly I’d ask you to re-read the proposal, as your opening comment…**

<i>‘this project as outlined basically describes building an entire off-grid (solar & generator powered) town and the supporting infrastructure from the ground up and for which most costs aren't even included or estimated.’ </i>

**…is incorrect and misleading.**

The proposal clearly states the idea is to build one neighbourhood (of 100 repurposed containers) in a village of 500 containers that is being constructed by the Turkish NGO, NeedsMap.

The costs of building this neighbourhood are clearly detailed.

The project also budgets for the maintenance of this neighbourhood for 2 years. As detailed in the budget estimates are given for this and its is also clearly stated that any additional funding to support the neighbourhood will come from the NGOs other source of funds. 

<u>I’d like to make it clear here this is a one-off donation to earthquake relief efforts to build something tangible and effective for those affected by this disaster. This builds on the contribution to this disaster made across the blockchain industry. </u>

On the choce of repurposed containers, I can see you previously posted a comment during the discussion period about this,  which I answered at the time but you seem to have have disregarded.[(https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/post/1672) ](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/post/1672)

I will clarify again since I think there is a basic misunderstanding here about the context -  the area is still undergoing a high level of seismic activity - containers provide the best earthquake resistant temporary housing - there are also a huge amount of people without homes or shelter so the possibility of building structures from scratch is just not feasible. 

The tent cities are already proving to be inadequate - 10 people died this week due to floods in Hatay  [(https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/15/floods-kill-at-least-ten-in-quake-hit-area-in-turkey/).](https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/15/floods-kill-at-least-ten-in-quake-hit-area-in-turkey/)

The project is being run by one Turkey's most highly regarded and transparent NGOs, NeedsMap, and the Polkadot contribution would be part of much bigger project the NGO is doing to construct villages across the region.

Given this is the worst earthquake in the region for a century, no-one has experience in dealing with such a disaster. However, I would suggest the skeptical read the proposal before they make a judgement - research the beneficiary organisation, NeedsMap - see what they achieved during the wildfires of 2021 - and that they are trusted by institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (Please see the proposal for full details).

The containers themselves are being supplied and repurposed at a low cost by the foundations of two of Turkey's largest holding companies who specialise in construction. 

[https://www.nef.com.tr/en/nef-foundation](https://www.nef.com.tr/en/nef-foundation)

[https://www.atisgrup.com.tr/en/topluluk/](https://www.atisgrup.com.tr/en/topluluk/)
  
As for the number of people each container will house - 4-5 is the estimate - these will be mostly families so not 4-5 adults. 

Of course these buildings are not going to be luxury off the grid homes but they are going to be a lot better and safer than tents. 

As stated in the proposal this is about giving a two year lifeline for people so they can get back on their own feet.

The project is already underway - this proposal is about giving the Polkadot community a chance to contribute to it and build a neighbourhood in one of these villages. 

As for your final point that questions whether the treasury should be funding common good causes like this - I believe every community member should be able to decide that for themselves. 

To me providing a lifeline to 450 people who’ve lost everything is a lot more than a photo-op and says that Polkadot can contribute to the world in ways other than solely ROIs. 


i see this as being really simple. 

if this initiative was really about getting aid out to the greatest number of people affected by the quake as possible they'd be proposing a perfectly rational spend on ten thousand insulated tents or more - enough to provide temporary shelter for fifty thousand people, at least, for the same money. 

not 100 novelty homes for 500 people, being proposed by a filmmaker.

Nice funding initiative coming out of the Polkadot community, and one that offers a unique approach to providing disaster aid. I am usually skeptical about traditional donation drives, but this proposal details a succinct plan to provide relief where it’s most needed now - on the ground - that is transparent and checks out in the documentation I read through on the discussion board. If this proposal goes through, it would also be a great chance for Polkadot to try out an alternative aid method - with developments we can see as a community - and also providing practical evidence that might help us to rethink how we approach future initiatives as blockchain grows and further interacts with the world. Two thumbs up for this proposal!

Great to see this proposal go on chain. This is really welcomed by the Turkish blockchain community! Thanks a lot for putting together such a considered proposal!

- Proponent: Simon Hipkins (Key Pictures)

- Beneficiary: Ihtiyac haritası (NeedsMap.coop) 1haY6iHgLopw2WWmPhcdCy2jwzL2jthbNL515rUyJtnmhUt (verification [here](https://twitter.com/ihtiyacharitasi/status/1632116990390288391?s=20)).

- Date: 20.03.2023

- Requested DOT: 171333.51 (USD $1,081,000.00) Converted to DOT using the EMA7 rate on subscan on date of submission (20/03/2023)

**Summary:**

 On February 6th, 2023, two earthquakes hit Pazarcik and Elbistan in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, leading to over 50,000 deaths and leaving 1.5 million people homeless. This was the deadliest earthquake worldwide since the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

It is also proving to be one of the first major examples of blockchains and their tokens being used to directly offer humanitarian assistance. So far over $12.5 million in donations have been made from blockchain protocols, treasuries, exchanges and donors.
###
**This proposal provides a tangible and transparent way for the Polkadot community to contribute to a long-term project that will help people recover from this terrible disaster.**

- Proposal discussion post can be found [HERE](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/post/1672)
- Onchain submission, taken into account community feedback: [HERE](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/treasury/253)
- Proposal document can be found [HERE](https://docs.google.com/document/d/102KiQRMjDSemj8eSNCYJe8VSwOc_aMbqBU6mXbjJbms/edit).

Please note that given the amount of the requested allocation, this is submitted as an external motion: if/after approved by the Council, this proposal will be voted in referenda queue by the community for the final decision. 

External motion proposal hash: `0x60d0920c817310650378d7227c3bd7de10135479822262b088c2db361dbceac1` (preimage is submitted).

Schedule a majority-carries referendum to be tabled next once it is legal to schedule
an external referendum.

The dispatch of this call must be `ExternalMajorityOrigin`.

- `proposal_hash`: The preimage hash of the proposal.

Unlike `external_propose`, blacklisting has no effect on this and it may replace a
pre-scheduled `external_propose` call.

Weight: `O(1)`

Approve a proposal. At a later time, the proposal will be allocated to the beneficiary
and the original deposit will be returned.

May only be called from `T::ApproveOrigin`.

# <weight>
- Complexity: O(1).
- DbReads: `Proposals`, `Approvals`
- DbWrite: `Approvals`
# </weight>

#373 Polkadot Spending Proposal: DOT Housing for those affected by the Turkish-Syria Earthquake