1. Shelter and settlement options87
Shelter and settlement options
This session introduces the six
transitional settlement options for
displaced populations
USA, 2005

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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?

10. Urban self-settlement95
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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. Rural self-settlement98
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

14. 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

15. 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?

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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?

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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?

25. 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

26. 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

27. Dispersed: advantages and disadvantages89
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

28. Grouped: advantages and disadvantages90
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

29. 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

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

31. 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)