Shelter and settlement options 87 Shelter and settlement options This session introduces the six transitional settlement options for displaced populations USA, 2005

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session include: The choices facing displaced populations can be categorised into six options The advantages and disadvantages of both dispersed and grouped types of settlements Displaced populations will move between different transitional settlement options as needs and situations change over time

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session include: The choices facing displaced populations can be categorised into six options The advantages and disadvantages of both dispersed and grouped types of settlements Displaced populations will move between different transitional settlement options as needs and situations change over time

Six transitional settlement options The choices open to displaced populations can be categorised into six options: Host families Urban self-settlement Rural self-settlement Collective centres Self-settled camps Planned camps

Six transitional settlement options These six options are presented in: Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) Transitional settlement and reconstruction after natural disasters (United Nations, 2008) Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (Global Protection Cluster Working Group, 2007)

Assessing options Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (Global Protection Cluster Working Group, 2007) As part of a contingency or strategic plan, each of the six transitional settlement options should be assessed in relation to: its capacity the speed at which it can be accessed any limits on the duration of its use its suitability for particular groups of the affected population its capacity for expansion the protection it can provide

93 Host families Host families Shelter on the land or property of local families Advantages of the host families option include: is the most readily available solution to immediate settlement needs increased support of existing coping strategies keeps families together and in a stable household environment Afghanistan, 2004

Host families: operations Operations for effective shelter with host families involve: developing integrated and equitable systems of support promoting and supporting methods of livelihood provision for both beneficiary groups increasing awareness of the rights of both the affected and host population ensuring the participation all stakeholders in the assessment of host and displaced population needs Afghanistan, 2004

Experience with host families Discussion w/ facilitator A show of hands: 1. who has worked in an operation involving host families? 2. who has supported an operation involving host families?

Urban self-settlement 95 Urban self-settlement Urban self-settlement Urban self-settlement Informal occupation of non-reclaimed properties or land Advantages of urban self-settlement include: greater diversity of livelihood opportunities and increased opportunities for self-sufficiency integration with the local population and facilitation of a wider social support network close proximity to the local population can enable trade of goods and services Indonesia, 2005

Urban self-settlement: operations Operations for effective urban self-settlement involves: support the upgrade of basic service infrastructure to meet the needs of both the displaced and host population identify structures for food warehousing and distribution obtain official list of land and property ownership support established methods of livelihood production provide appropriate sanitation, water provision and access to health facilities in line with internationally agreed standards Indonesia, 2005

Experience with urban self-settlement Discussion w/ facilitator A show of hands: 1. who has worked in an operation with displaced populations choosing urban self-settlement? 2. who has supported an operation with displaced populations choosing urban self-settlement?

Rural self-settlement 98 Rural self-settlement Rural self-settlement Rural self-settlement Settlement on collectively owned land Advantages of rural self-settlement include: increased opportunities for self-sufficiency and possible development of alternative settlement options integration with the local population facilitation of a wider social support network close proximity to the local population can enable trade of goods and services Timor Leste, 2006

Rural self-settlement: operations Operations for effective rural self-settlement involve: identifying the needs of both the host and displaced population identifying and negotiating with the owner of land and resources negotiating land for grazing and other livelihood activities of the affected population assessing land use, resource availability and methods of livelihood support Timor Leste, 2006

Experience with rural self-settlement Discussion w/ facilitator A show of hands: 1. who has worked in an operation with displaced populations choosing rural self-settlement? 2. who has supported an operation with displaced populations choosing rural self-settlement?

100 Collective centres Collective centres Shelter in pre-existing structures and facilities Advantages of collective centres include: ease of beneficiary identification and assessment ease of distribution of food and other supplies facilitates the identification of vulnerable groups and individuals USA, 2005

Collective centres: operations Operations for effective collective centres involve: identifying appropriate follow-on transitional settlement options formulating intention agreements for the occupation of the building developing an information and community plan to involve the local population supporting and improving existing infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of the host and affected population consider methods of compensation for those who have had livelihood disrupted by the occupation of the building USA, 2005

Experience with collective centres Discussion w/ facilitator A show of hands 1. Who has worked in operations where there were collective centres for displaced populations? 2. Who has supported operations where there were collective centres for displaced populations?

103 Self-settled camps Self-settled camps Self-settled camps Grouped settlement established independently of assistance Advantages of self-settled camps include: increased opportunities for self-sufficiency allows for the maintenance of existing methods of livelihood support and social structures possible development of alternative settlement options keeps families and communities together Liberia, 1998

Self-settled camps: operations Operations for effective self-settled camps involve: deciding whether to support the selected site or relocate the affected population to a more appropriate location supporting established methods of livelihood production developing the camp rapidly, with the displaced community and government, to meet national and international standards supporting and improving existing infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of the host and affected population considering methods of compensation for those who have had livelihood disrupted by the occupation of the site Liberia, 1998

Experience with self-settled camps Discussion w/ facilitator A show of hands: who has worked in an operation with displaced populations choosing to self-settle in camps? who has supported an operation with displaced populations choosing to self-settle in camps?

106 Planned camps Planned camps Grouped settlement on purpose built, serviced sites Advantages of planned camps include: ease of distribution of food and other supplies facilitates the identification of vulnerable groups and individuals camps can be planned to meet the needs of the affected population land use can be negotiated with governments without rent or purchase Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response (The Sphere Project, 2004)

Planned camps: operations Operations for effective planned camps involve: undertaking rigorous site selection and secure guarantees of land use from the government upgrading infrastructure, such as transport, health care, water and sanitation, schools, power generation and transmission, food production and security, police stations, prisons and courts establishing the needs of the displaced population and plan the camp appropriately developing a natural resource management plan involve both displaced and local populations in construction activities and by facilitating access to local markets supporting public meetings and other activities involving local and displaced populations Albania, 1999

Experience with planned camps Discussion w/ facilitator Show of hands: who has worked in an operation with planned camps for displaced populations? who has supported an operation with planned camps for displaced populations?

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session include: The choices open to displaced populations can be categorised into six options The advantages and disadvantages of both dispersed and grouped types of settlements Displaced populations will move between different transitional settlement options as needs and situations change over time

Dispersed and grouped settlements The six transitional settlement options for displaced populations are classified as either dispersed or grouped: Host families dispersed Urban self-settlement Rural self-settlement Collective centres grouped Self-settled camps Planned camps

Dispersed: advantages and disadvantages 89 Dispersed: advantages and disadvantages Summary of common advantages: requires smaller initial investments than grouped settlements uses existing infrastructure and promotes integration into local population facilitation of a wider social support network provides greater access to environmental resources more likely to have conditions appropriate to needs of affected populations usually closer to homes, allowing sooner return can incorporate developmental objectives with response needs, supporting both Summary of common disadvantages: insufficient capacity to assess and assist across a wide area difficulty in identifying beneficiaries competition over work, resources and facilities can disrupt livelihood patterns risk of physical, sexual and financial exploitation resentment resulting in disparities in assistance lack of formal ownership rights for land or property

Grouped: advantages and disadvantages 90 Grouped: advantages and disadvantages Summary of common advantages: can be constructed as a preparedness plan for protection from specific hazards can keep families together can facilitate in identifying vulnerable groups ease of distribution of food and other supplies Summary of common disadvantages: may have a short operational life (collective centres) may extend period of displacement if located far from homes may increase dependency competition over resources require additional communal services and security limited privacy and concern over the spread of disease risk of communal and individual psychosocial problems concentration of environmental damage (camps) increased vulnerability to internal and external security threats usually higher initial investment and higher maintenance costs

Session objectives ! The key learning objectives of this session include: The choices open to displaced populations can be categorised into six options The advantages and disadvantages of both dispersed and grouped types of settlements Displaced populations will move between different transitional settlement options as needs and situations change over time

Movement between options Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

Bibliography ‘Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations’ (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) ‘Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons’ (Global Protection Cluster Working Group, 2007) ‘Transitional settlement and reconstruction after natural disasters’ (United Nations, 2008) ‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’ (The Sphere Project, 2004)