SHELTER IN DISASTER RESPONSE International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Shelter sector challenges…  Terminology – the word “shelter” is not sufficient in most languages to define the breadth of the sector  There is no right to shelter under IHL – but there is a right to adequate housing  The focus should be on providing adequate shelter for the expected duration of use - defined by the needs of affected populations, rather than emergency, temporary, transitional etc.

Shelter sector challenges…  There is no leading agency in the shelter sector as other sectors – and few leading agencies have shelter in their mandate  The International Federation is one of the leading providers of shelter amongst humanitarian actors – National Societies implement a wide range of emergency, transitional and permanent housing

Beyond survival, shelter should provide…  Protection from climate  Security and personal safety  Enhanced resistance to ill health and disease  Support for family and community life  Basic human dignity

Shelter solutions should promote…  Use of communal coping strategies  Self-sufficiency and self-management  Reducing risks and vulnerabilities  Minimising adverse impacts on local environment and economy  Maximising household livelihood support and local economic activities

What IS shelter… Shelter should be seen as a process i.e sheltering NOT only the provision of a product

The process of sheltering… Before disaster Disaster & emergency response Beyond emergency response Before disaster – over time households build, extend and upgrade houses using materials, cash, contracted local labour or self-help Beyond emergency response – households receiving shelter assistance will over time extend and upgrade shelter solutions provided using materials, cash, contracted local labour or self-help Emergency response should support the sheltering process – providing materials, cash, contracted local labour or self-help + technical support as appropriate

Shelter solutions should consider…  Provision of adequate space  Protection from hazards and risks  Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and washing facilities  Access to healthcare, schools, social services and livelihood opportunities  Energy for cooking, heating and lighting  Food storage and safe refuse disposal  Cultural appropriateness of materials, design and layout

Shelter should be informed by…  Nature and scale of disaster  Climatic conditions and local environment  Political and security situation  Context – rural or urban  Ability of community to cope  Consideration of those secondarily affected by disaster i.e. host community  Mandate of the host National Society

Immediate shelter response…  Informed assessments – what are affected households doing themselves to meet their shelter needs and how can we assist them?  Use Sphere 2004 Shelter Checklist – adapt as needed. (Chapter 4 Appendix 1 Pg 238)  Informed shelter programming within initial National Society responses and Preliminary Appeals– tarpaulins/plastic sheeting alone is relief NOT shelter programming

Basic shelter recommendations… Informed by assessment, observation and checking with households what they need  Step 1: Plastic sheeting + tools + fixings + additional materials = shelter kit  Step 2: Appropriate local roofing, framing and walling materials as required + tools (+ cash?) + better building promotion/”construction theatre” = safe adequate & durable shelter Step 1 buys time to develop a Step 2 approach Step 2 should be preferred to Step 1 where opportunities and resources permit

Shelter in disaster response… “Shelter solutions should enable affected households to incrementally upgrade from emergency to durable solutions as soon as possible subject to the availability of the additional resources required”

Shelter beyond disaster response…  Transitional shelter and/or permanent housing – self-help or contracted  Shelter/housing as a livelihoods vehicle  Promoting access to safe, adequate and durable housing  Settlement planning to reduce risks and vulnerabilities  Community-based risk reduction through safer housing and emergency shelter management  Policy and advocacy on housing and land tenure issues