Understanding Transitional Shelter: Uses, Strengths, and Risks

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

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

Transitional shelter • 148 • 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 Transitional shelter is an available assistance method for supporting displaced and non-displaced populations after disasters Transitional settlement and reconstruction after natural disasters (United Nations, 2008)

One of 12 common assistance methods • 145 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 Sri Lanka, 2005

When to use transitional shelter Sri Lanka, 2005 • Checklist ofcriteria 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

Common uses of transitional shelter On-site: shelteron 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 Indonesia, 2006

Strengths of transitional shelter • 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 Indonesia, 2006

Characteristics of transitional shelter • 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 Sri Lanka, 2005

Relocation of transitional shelter • 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 Pakistan, 2007

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?

20 mins Discussion Key point 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? Discussion in groups Each group agrees a key point

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)

Understanding Transitional Shelter: Uses, Strengths, and Risks