Site selection and camp planning 247 This session looks at self-settled and planned IDP and refugee camps, following both natural disaster and conflict Burundi, 1995

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Camps in conflicts and natural disasters Macedonia FYR, 2005 Camps following natural disasters: should be as close as safely possible to where the community used to live so that they may remain close to their livelihoods, property, belongings, crops and livestock should exist for as short a time period as possible, until there is no further risk from the hazard Camps following conflicts: should be at a safe distance from the conflict care should be taken to ensure that political factions or ethnic groups do not dominate political or ethnic groups that are hostile to each other should be segregated through planning and dispersing settlement should be planned for medium term occupation through phased development and expansion

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Self-settled and planned camps Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) Self-settled and planned camps are two of the six transitional settlement options for displaced populations: host families rural self-settlement urban self-settlement collective centres self-settled camps planned camps The vast majority of camps are self-settled Camps may be supported because they are convenient to the government or to humanitarian organisations Except in special circumstances, such as extreme insecurity, camps should be a last resort following both conflicts and disasters Preference should be given to supporting other transitional options selected by affected populations, such as through rural and urban self-settlement

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Contingency plan for supporting camps A contingency plan should be a part of an integrated strategy that includes other transitional settlement options such as host families A contingency plan should include: A. forming committees to consider site selection, planning, standards, assessments and coordination B. identifying a series of sites for camps before displacement occurs, preparing sites and stock-piling materials The plan should also include: estimated size of the affected population estimated time, duration, size and location of influxes initial schedule and management of works (Gantt chart)

Dispersal of camps Pakistan, 2005 For each camp consider the needs of affected populations, host populations and the environment. Is one big camp preferable to several smaller camps? The dispersal of camps may have positive or negative impacts on: access to livelihoods vulnerability to hazards vulnerability to internal and and external threats relations with host populations diversity of water sources environment and natural resource management as illustrated

Maintaining communities Pakistan, 2006 Keep communities together as much as possible. Reflect communities belonging to different villages in a neighbourhood structure in a larger camp community A A B community B C community C D community D Maintain similar spatial environments of affected populations: rural populations often prefer larger family plots and additional grazing and farmland, or space for kitchen gardens urban populations often prefer smaller plots and close proximity

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Evaluating and selecting sites Malta, 2007 The site of a self-settled camp needs to be evaluated Sites for planned camps need to be identified, prioritised and selected Assess sites in relation to: security and hazards land tenure and use access routes topography, ground conditions and climate water resources impacts on the host population potential for future growth impacts on environment including available natural resources such as fuel wood

Self-settled camps: evaluating sites 103 Self-settled camps are established in an emergency phase without reference to international standards Detailed assessment of self-settled camps is required in order to decide whether to: select a new site in consultation with the displaced population and host populations upgrade the infrastructure and facilities of the existing camp Liberia, 1998

Planned camps: selecting sites 106 Through participation, involve all stakeholders in identifying the positive and negative factors of each potential camp location in order to reach consensus on appropriate site selection All sites will have negative factors which will affect the host and affected community to varying degrees For each site list and compare positive and negative factors: for the displaced population on the host community on the environment for government and assisting agencies Albania, 1999

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Laying out a camp 106 Planned camps Before laying out a camp, the following steps can be undertaken: 1. identify possible sites decide on size and numbers of camps determine how to maintain and group communities phase the plan to stay ahead of influx plan for future growth and contingencies for scenarios confirm site borders and land and resource use with local populations, affected populations, authorities and agencies map topography and features such as rock outcroppings, etc. plan access route map contour routes locate key facilities plan utilities plan sectors, blocks and communities DRC, 2008

Sectors, blocks and communities Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) A camp with approx. 20,000 inhabitants (4 sectors) Fire breaks:30m per built-up 300m Roads and water follow contours Administrative centre in the middle Each sector with approx. 5,000 inhabitants (4 blocks) fire breaks: 15m between blocks should contain central/recreational spaces Each block having approx. 1,250 inhabitants (16 communities) fire breaks: 6m (pathways) The community with approx. 80 inhabitants (16 plots with 16 shelters) fire breaks: 2m between dwellings drainage should be well planned and maintained drain water must not pollute or cause erosion

Central camp facilities Liberia, 1998 In large camps, distribution centres and clinics may be needed in each sector, while space should be left for shops in each block infrastructure including: distribution centre, clinic, feeding centre secure logistics compound supply public space, market, school, recreational area supply road

Controlled water access Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) upstream Protected collection of water for drinking, cooking and bathing using abstraction galleries, wells, pumps, gravity fed water distribution from tanks Latrines and cemeteries must be kept away from water sources Consider other users and livestock watering downstream downstream

Separate areas for livestock If animal husbandry is common: provision should be agreed for grazing or fodder seasonal activities such as lambing and migrations for grazing should be considered provision should be made for hygienic butchery separate areas should be planned for watering

Laying out communities and blocks Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) There are various ways to plan the layout of a community Options must be explored with the community through participatory assessment Different layout options include: Staggered plan Hollow square plan Community road plan

Grid planning R R R R S R S W Legend tap stand latrines refuse shop Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) R R W W W W W R R S W W W W W latrines tap stand Legend refuse shop wash area R S W

Hollow square planning Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) S R S R W W latrines tap stand Legend refuse shop wash area R S W S R

Contour planning: terrace Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) W W W W W W W W R R S latrines tap stand Legend refuse shop wash area R S W W W W W W W R R

Contour planning: cul-de-sac Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) W W W W W R R R S W W Legend W tap stand W latrines W R refuse refuse S shop W wash area

Contour planning Local villages, towns and settlements usually follow contours Follow topographic features by responding to: slope avoiding steep areas taking advantage of flat areas Camps should also follow contours in order to: maximise land use, when compared to grid planning minimise hazards such as land-slides, also by stabilizing steep slopes using erosion builds reduce infrastructure costs maintenance to roads and water surface drainage

Phasing Process to stay ahead of the influx rate Liberia, 1998 Process to stay ahead of the influx rate assess number of people in transit assess when displaced population is expected to arrive Set up emergency facilities to manage the emergency influx These include: reception centre defecation fields emergency distribution facilities Ensure there is sufficient labour capacity at reception centre to receive and screen people at arrival to clear brush and mark out sites, avoiding deforestation Leave space for further development and plan for future upgrading

Upgrading self-settled camps Phased relocation can be used to upgrade or extend self-settled camps to international standards with a displaced population 5 steps to phased relocation: identify community group identify additional land adjacent to the camp or another site plan the extension with the participation of the community groups relocate the community to the new site repeat process until entire camp has been relocated or upgraded Liberia, 1998

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Scheduling and managing works The following 8 steps may be considered in scheduling and managing works: 1. ensure permissions of all stakeholders 2. create a schedule of works procure resources, labour and equipment (pre-positioning of material, equipment) 4. mark out the site 5. carry out ground preparation 6. build emergency infrastructure 7. upgrade existing infrastructure 8. handover

Schedule of works example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Permissions Create schedule Procurement Ground prep Mark out site Emergency infrastructure Upgrades Monsoon season A schedule of works should also include: who is responsible for each activity critical milestones and deadlines critical events, such as monsoons specific capacities or equipment such as bulldozers

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session are to form an understanding of: camps in conflicts and natural disasters self-settled camps and planned camps managing influx evaluating and selecting sites laying out a camp scheduling and managing works closure of a camp

Camp closure The closure of a camp must be considered during initial negotiations with government, host populations and displaced populations in order to agree: land infrastructure (e.g. roads and buildings) improvements suitable to both the camp population, and host population upon handover, such as a therapeutic feeding centre finally being used as a school the activities that must be undertaken upon closure, such as filling in pit-latrines environmental recovery programmes the handover of the land the handover of purpose built infrastructure and equipment, such as buildings, roads, bore holes and pumps

10 mins Discussion In pairs, discuss: left side of the room: list advantages of contour planning right side of the room: list advantages of grid planning Planning a camp Contour planning Grid planning Each pair agrees a key point Key point

Bibliography ‘Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations’ (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) ‘Handbook for Emergencies’ (UNHCR, 2007) ‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’ (The Sphere Project, 2004)