1. 148
Transitional shelter
This workshop discusses when to use transitional shelter, the common circumstances for using it, and its strengths, characteristics and risks
Indonesia, 2006

2. Workshop objectives !
The key learning objectives of this workshop are to form an
understanding of:
Presentation: What is transitional shelter and when to use it
Presentation: Common uses, strengths, characteristics and risks
Workshop: discuss with group past experience using transitional shelter and share key points with other groups

3. Workshop objectives !
The key learning objectives of this workshop are to form an
understanding of:
Presentation: What is transitional shelter and when to use it
Presentation: Common uses, strengths, characteristics and risks
Workshop: discuss with group past experience using transitional shelter and share key points with other groups

4. 148
Transitional shelter
Transitional settlement and reconstruction after natural disasters
(United Nations, 2008)
Transitional shelter is an available assistance method for supporting displaced and non-displaced populations after disasters
Transitional shelter provides:
a habitable covered living space
a secure, healthy living environment
privacy and dignity for those living within it
sheltering during the period between a conflict or natural disaster and the achievement of a durable shelter solution

5. One of 12 common assistance methods
145
One of 12 common assistance methods
Sri Lanka, 2005
Transitional Shelter is one of 12 common assistance methods:
Household non-food items (NFIs)
Shelter non-food items (NFIs)
Transitional shelter
Community labour
Contracted labour
Direct labour
Cash
Vouchers
Loans and guarantees
Local information centres
Capacity building
Technical expertise

6. When to use transitional shelter
Sri Lanka, 2005
Checklist of criteria for when to use transitional shelter:
A. when the reconstruction process is longer than the lifespan of a tent
B. if there is a need to be able to relocate
C. when land issues have not been resolved
D. when sufficient local materials can be used to produce transitional shelters

7. Workshop objectives !
The key learning objectives of this workshop are to form an
understanding of:
Presentation: What is transitional shelter and when to use it
Presentation: Common uses, strengths, characteristics and risks
Workshop: discuss with group past experience using transitional shelter and share key points with other groups

8. Common uses of transitional shelter
Indonesia, 2006
On-site: shelter on property with land tenure or land rights
For example, a family could stay in a transitional shelter on their
own land while repairing or rebuilding their damaged home, finally
including the materials of their transitional shelter
Off-site: shelter while displaced and to be relocated once no longer
in transitional settlement
For example, for shelter in a self-settled camp, and then
dismantled and transported with family when return from
displacement or re-settle elsewhere, and materials reused for
permanent shelter

9. Strengths of transitional shelter
Indonesia, 2006
humanitarian agencies without sufficient capacity in transitional settlement and reconstruction can engage consultant technical specialists and inspectors, allowing maximum operational response
cost is similar to cost of tents over the same reconstruction period
can be built with local resources and skills, supporting
local livelihoods and construction industry
introduces hazard resistant construction principles and techniques that may later inform reconstruction
agrees with the local population standards for building, as
well as increasing understandings of building codes, factoring
in family size, location, culture and availability of materials

10. Characteristics of transitional shelter
Sri Lanka, 2005
Transitional shelter shares many characteristics with semi-
permanent shelter, including:
uses design and materials of sufficient durability to last until the completion of reconstruction
the opportunity to upgrade or extend the shelter, as part of
permanent reconstruction, or re-use the majority of materials
allows the affected household to remain on site where they have land rights or tenure, supporting their coping strategies,
preferences and decisions
uses materials that can be assembled quickly, using simple
tools and unskilled labour
integrates the phased development of utilities and site works
transitional shelter materials may be prepared and distributed as
kits facilitating logistics chains and transport by affected families

11. Relocation of transitional shelter
Pakistan, 2007
Traditional shelter is designed so that it may be disassembled and
relocated.
This provides opportunities to:
offer shelter until capacity exists in government and the
international community to resolve formal land rights or tenure
offer consistent and equitable assistance for both displaced and non-displaced households
relocate the transitional shelter from a transitional settlement site to a transitional reconstruction site, as a continuous method of assistance, or if the occupancy is
deemed unlawful or unsafe

12. Risks of transitional shelter
Sri Lanka, 2005
Risks of using transitional shelter as an assistance method include:
rights to land use or tenure never being resolved, and affected families living indefinitely as occupants of land with no legal status
no support offered beyond transitional shelter, because of lack of priority or lack of resources
poor planning or unsafe siting and construction resulting from implementation by humanitarian agencies with insufficient technical capacity or experience
demand for key materials may be greater than supply, raising prices or resulting in sub-standard shelter
the transitional shelter approach being misunderstood,
for example if no strategic answer is planned to the question
transition to what?

13. Workshop objectives !
The key learning objectives of this workshop are to form an
understanding of:
Presentation: What is transitional shelter and when to use it
Presentation: Common uses, strengths, characteristics and risks
Workshop: discuss with group past experience using transitional shelter and share key points with other groups

14. 20 mins
Discussion
Discussion
in groups
Working in groups, share your experience using transitional shelter as an assistance method in response.
Points for discussion:
was the recipient displaced a long or short distance?
former housing situation: owner, tenant, or without legal tenure
which other assistance methods were offered?
was transitional shelter well suited for them, and why?
Each group agrees a key point
Key point

15. Bibliography ‘Transitional settlement and reconstruction after
natural disasters' (United Nations, 2008)
‘Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement’ (UN/OCHA, 1998)
‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’ (The Sphere Project, 2004)