While in 2018-2019 UNHCR has been effective in delivery of infrastructure and ensuring 100% coverage of adequate “temporary” shelters, the focus is now shifting from temporary to improved shelter and infrastructure. Concurrently, improved shelter designs dovetail with an increased prioritization of community engagement, partner monitoring, planning, and protection and gender mainstreaming. Improved shelter and site planning, however, have been impeded by challenges, including design-restrictions and land-availability.
In 2019, UNHCR aims to provide 5.5% coverage for improved shelter, achieved through modular steel frame shelters, and considering single and double story shelters. Although a percentage of the camp shelter and infrastructure will be more durable as improved shelters can be constructed, the need for on-going continued temporary shelter maintenance will remain a challenge until all shelters can be upgraded. Increase focus on shelter fundraising and advocacy in 2020, given links between shelter, protection benefits, and health outcomes.
While the minimum standard for internal shelter living space has been largely respected, the external space is well below acceptable levels resulting in increased protection and health risks. Access to services is challenging in the camps due to the difficult topography, in particular during the monsoon season. Decongestion requires targeted site planning; improved planning coordination; consolidation of sites such as health clinics, child friendly spaces, and education facilities; and the contribution of the proposed – but still not approved – steel-framed double-story shelter design. Site planning will be a critical tool in achieving this.
In 2020, the UNHCR will focus on three main external areas; i) Improved shelters, ii) Maintenance of temporary shelters and iii) Construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
Comprehensive response
- Expand coverage of improved shelter by an additional 13,000 achieved through modular steel frame shelter and considering single and double story shelters, if the Government approves this design.
- Increase focus on upgrading and maintaining site infrastructure through sustainable site development and improvement works
- Increase field-based data collection and analysis across sectors to inform response
- Shift toward a voucher system for shelter maintenance and material distribution
Prioritized response
- Continue focus on community engagement, partner monitoring, planning, and internal gender mainstreaming through shelter committees.
- Site development activities such as: drainage, foot path, stair, slope stabilizations; repair work carried out during monsoon
- 25% of shelter materials for 87,500 HHs shall be repaired/replaced and with cost efficient voucher system number of partners shall be reduced
- 7,500 Improved shelters will be developed
- Prioritize bamboo treatment, with untreated bamboo phased out by the end of 2020, should the steel frame shelters be approved
- Continue to prioritise camp decongestion
- Continue to replace necessary materials for older standing shelters
- Continue to integrate innovation into temporary design and maintenance centrred on durability, value for money, and improved environmental outcomes
- Strengthen integrated programming with focus on age, gender, disability, and diversity