FRONT COVER

Acknowledgements

This project has been made possible thanks to DFID and IOM.

Support and funding from DFID was received for the first initial drafting of these guidelines.

Subsequent funding and support from IOM has made the finalisation of this project possible, including support from IOM Pakistan for an evaluation mission for transitional shelters, undertaken in November 2010. This project would not have been possible without the continued funding and support of IOM, demonstrating once again their commitment to developing practical, technical guidance for the shelter, settlement and reconstruction sector.

Thanks are also due to the various organisations and individuals who have contributed or have indicated their willingness to contribute to the final Transitional shelter guidelines.

Transitional Shelter Guidelines

Consultation document

28 January 2011


Transitional Shelter Guidelines Consultation document 28th January 2011

Table of Contents: Consultation document

Document introduction

A. The Transitional Shelter Guidelines project...... 2

B. The purpose of this consultation document ...... 2

C. Further review dates...... 3

Content for review

1. Transitional Shelter Guidelines proposed table of contents...... 4

2. Transitional Shelter Guidelines annotated contents...... 7

A. The Transitional Shelter Guidelines project

The Transitional Shelter Guidelines project is coordinated by Shelter Centre, with funding from IOM. Additional funding has come from DFID.

The objective of this project is to produce a set of practical guidelines on transitional shelter for distribution in the field. These should:

  • clearly define transitional shelter;
  • assist the reader in determining whether transitional shelter is an appropriate response method in a particular scenario; and
  • offer assistance on best practise in implementing transitional shelter as part of a humanitarian response.

Since the introduction of the transitional shelter approach by Shelter Centre in early 2005, in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, responses to disaster and conflicts worldwide have adopted this approach in support of the needs of millions of people affected by conflicts and disaster.

It is intended that the Transitional Shelter Guidelines will be published in May 2011.

B. The purpose of this consultation document

This consultation document provides readers with the opportunity to offer feedback, comments and suggestions on the latest draft of the Transitional Shelter Guidelines. For this first review period, the following elements are presented for comment:

  • a Transitional Shelter Guidelines contents page, showing the proposed structure of the document; and
  • an ‘annotated contents’, showing the proposed content.

We would welcome all feedback, comments and suggestions, focussed on the scope of the document, the topics covered, the order, and the page budget and distribution.

Content for review is shown in blue. Comments or suggestions can be made on this Microsoft Word document by using the ‘track changes’ function, or by inserting comment boxes.

  • To track changes, select ‘Review’ on the toolbar select ‘Track Changes’
  • To add comment boxes, highlight relevant text  select ‘Review’ on the toolbar select ‘New Comment’

In addition, we would like to ask two further questions:

  1. do you or your organisation have any case studies or reports which you feel could inform the Guidelines?
  2. would you like to join the working group for this project, in order to be informed of progress and of future meetings and draft reviews?

Please return this document, with your comments, by Monday 7th Feb to

This consultation document is available online at

C. Further review dates

The Transitional Shelter Guidelines will undergo a three stage review process prior to publication in early May 2011. The three review stages are outlined below.

Stage 1: (Current stage) Electronic review, via email,of structure and annotated contents

Release date: late January 2011.

Stage 2: Meeting in Geneva to discuss draft contents

Early March 2011, exact dates currently undecided.

It is proposed that an informal meeting be held to discuss a draft of the Transitional Shelter Guidelines around late February/early March, 2011. The team will identify a date close to a CCCM, Early Recovery or Emergency Shelter Cluster meeting, to ensure that the relevant people are in Geneva.

Stage 3: Electronic review, via email, of full draft

Release date: late March 2011.

If you are not already a member of the working group, and would like to join, in order to be involved in the remainder of the review process, please send an email to:

1. Transitional Shelter Guidelinesproposed table of contents

The following draft table of contents may be used to offer comments or suggestions on the proposed structure of the Transitional Shelter Guidelines.

Comments can be made by using the ‘track changes’ function, or by inserting comment boxes. More information on how to comment on this document is provided on page 2.

Transitional Shelter Guidelinesproposed table of contents

Project outline

Scope of the guidelines

Audience

Glossary

Chapter 1 Transitional shelter: what is it, when to use it?

Proposed number of pages: 10

1.1.What is transitional shelter?

1.2.When is transitional shelter appropriate?

1.3.Transitional shelter SWOT analysis

Chapter 2 Transitional shelter selection tool

Proposed number of pages:2

Chapter 3 Transitional shelter as part of a broader response

Proposed number of pages: 24

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2

2.1Coordination (Proposed number of pages:6)

2.1.1Framework

2.1.2Activities

2.1.3Information management

2.2Strategy (Proposed number of pages: 12)

2.2.1A template for developing a transitional shelter strategy

2.2.2Selection of assistance methods

2.2.3Integrated programming

2.3Assessment and beneficiary identification

(Proposed number of pages: 6)

2.3.1Stages of assessment

2.3.2What factors can be assessed?

2.3.3Beneficiary identification

2.3.4Site selection

Chapter 4 Implementing transitional shelter projects

Proposed number of pages: 35

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3.1Transitional shelter design

3.1.1Construction methods

3.1.2Building materials

3.1.3Designing to minimise risk

3.1.4Design for transition to permanent solutions

3.1.5Incorporation of NFIs into shelter designs

3.2Procurement and logistics

3.2.1Specifying materials

3.2.2Sourcing materials

3.2.3Supply chain

3.2.4Quality control

3.2.5Avoiding bottlenecks

3.3Transitional shelter construction

3.3.1Project management

3.3.2Site preparation

3.4Sign over to beneficiaries

3.4.1Considerations

Appendices

Proposed number of pages: 10

A Transitional Shelter Standards

B Evaluation tool

C Case studies

D Resources

Total proposed pages: 81

2. Transitional Shelter Guidelinesannotated contents

The following draft annotated contents may be used to offer comments or suggestions on the proposed contents of the Transitional Shelter Guidelines.

Comments can be made by using the ‘track changes’ function, or by inserting comment boxes. More information on how to comment on this document is provided on page 2.

Transitional Shelter Guidelines annotated contents

Project outline

Scope of the guidelines

Audience

Glossary

Chapter 1 Transitional shelter: what is it, when to use it?

Proposed number of pages: 10

This chapter will provide an introduction to what transitional shelter is, including a summary of its key properties and advice on how transitional shelter can be used to help to achieve a durable shelter solution. Guidance will be offered on how and in what scenarios transitional shelter may be selected as an appropriate response method.

1.4.What is transitional shelter?

  • Definition
  • Transition to what?

−Transitional shelter programmes as a method of ’buying time’ for reconstruction programmes

  • Process

−Transitional shelter as part of a two phase, not three phase, process

−Transitional shelter as an incremental process, starting with NFI distribution

  • Transitional shelter properties

−Explanations and examples of TS as upgradable, reusable, resellable, recyclable, relocatable

  • Range of transitional shelter types and designs

−A selection of case studies showing a range of TS designs

  • Alternative shelter approaches

−Brief descriptions of alternative shelter approaches which are commonly wrongly referred to as transitional shelter. For example: one room shelter, semi-permanent housing, emergency tents.

1.5.When is transitional shelter appropriate?

  • Transitional shelter as a response method

−Importance of considering all response methods before selecting transitional shelter

  • Factors to assess the appropriateness of transitional shelter
  • Transitional shelter for non-displaced populations
  • Transitional shelter in urban and rural settings

1.6.Transitional shelter SWOT analysis

  • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the transitional shelter approach

Chapter 2 Transitional shelter selection tool

Proposed number of pages: 2

This chapter will be a decision making tool (most likely a flow diagram) which may be used to assist in the selection of an appropriate transitional shelter type or design based on economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors, such as: available skilled and unskilled labour, available materials, land rights, local building practises, etc.

Chapter 3 Transitional shelter as part of a broader response

Proposed number of pages:24

This chapter will offer assistance and advice on: coordination; the formation of a strategy; and assessment. Common roles and responsibilities, and the structure of coordination in a humanitarian response (including coordination tools and information management) will be outlined; assistance will be offered on the formation of a transitional shelter strategy, including selection of assistance methods and integration with other sectors; and assessment for transitional shelter projects will be discussed, including stages of assessment, assessment tools and important factors to be assessed.

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3.1.Coordination

(Proposed number of pages:6)

3.1.1.Framework

  • Overview of the structure of coordination in a humanitarian operation

−IASC, clusters/sectors, cross cutting issues, roles and responsibilities

  • How does the shelter sector coordinate with the overall response?
  • How does the transitional shelter option fit into the shelter sector?

3.1.2.Activities

  • What activities does the coordination body undertake?
  • What coordination tools may be used?

−Working groups, technical working groups, SAGS, information management

3.1.3.Information

  • How information may be managed by the coordinating body
  • Information to be collected and information sources

−E.g. land use surveys, building damage assessments, info on risks from ongoing and new hazards, etc. (>link forward to assessment section).

  • Communicating with the affected population

−E.g. Public information campaigns and outreach programmes: information packs, posters, leaflets, committees, workshops and trainings

3.2.Strategy

(Proposed number of pages: 12)

3.2.

3.2.1.A template for developing a transitional shelter strategy

  • Template structure: needs analysis; objectives; indicators; sectorial monitoring plan; roles and responsibilities

−Include: formation of locally appropriate transitional shelter standards, in Indicators:legal

−Include: strategic planning, contingency planning in Indicators

−Include ‘Funding options’ in Needs analysis: resources

3.2.2.Selection of assistance methods

  • Labour methods

−Direct labour, community labour, contract labour, self help

  • Materials methods

−General items, shelter construction items, WASH items

  • Support methods

−Cash; environmental and resource management; vouchers; local information centres; insurance, loans and guarantees; advocacy, legal and administrative; market interventions; return and transit items; infrastructure and settlement planning

  • Quality assurance methods

−Supervision and technical expertise, capacity building

3.2.3.Integrated programming

  • Disaster risk reduction and risk management
  • Water and Sanitation
  • Livelihoods

−The five capitals: natural, social, human, manufactured, financial

  • Infrastructure

−Site access, focal point buildings for meetings/administration, etc

  • Environmental planning and management
  • Emergency relief distribution and NFIs

3.3.Assessment and beneficiary identification

(Proposed number of pages: 6)

3.2.4.

3.3.

3.3.1.Stages of assessment

  • Preliminary assessment

−for each assessment stage: overview, purpose, timeframe, quality of information, information required at this stage for TS project

  • Rapid assessment
  • Joint / detailed assessment
  • Monitoring and evaluation

3.3.2.What factors can be assessed?

  • Damage assessment (buildings, infrastructure, etc.)
  • Who, what, where (mapping of affected population)
  • Assessment of pre-disaster building materials, techniques and designs
  • Availability of skills(skilled and non-skilled labour), tools, building materials
  • Market assessment and market access (EMMA)
  • Livelihood mapping
  • Vulnerability assessment: hazards and risks

3.3.3.Beneficiary identification

  • Beneficiary selection process

−To include: formation of selection committee; agreement on selection criteria; formation of complaints procedure; reporting selection back to communities

  • Formation of selection criteria

−To include possible sources of information for formation of selection criteria, e.g: government/bank data on benefits, low interest loans; common vulnerability criteria

  • Considerations for displaced beneficiaries
  • Considerations for non-displaced beneficiaries
  • Monitoring and review to inform the beneficiary selection process

3.3.4.Site selection

  • Site safety, legality and appropriateness
  • Risk and livelihood mapping
  • To relocate or not to relocate?

Chapter 4 Implementing transitional shelter projects

Proposed number of pages: 35

This chapter will offer technical advice on the design and construction of transitional shelters; procurement and logistics and the sign over of shelters to beneficiaries. Best practise guidance will be offered on common building materials, and options for minimizing risk on common transitional shelter types and designs will be outlined.

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4.1.Transitional shelter design

4.1.1.Construction methods

Best practise advice, common types and construction methods

  • Foundations
  • Structural or load bearing walls
  • Non-load bearing walls
  • Roof
  • Openings – doors and windows
  • Floors

4.1.2.Building materials

Best practise advice, common types and uses in transitional shelter

  • Timber
  • Bamboo
  • Clay bricks and concrete blocks
  • Stabilised earthen/mud blocks
  • Mortars, lime and cement
  • Aggregates
  • Concrete
  • Steel reinforcement
  • Roof thatching
  • Corrugated metal sheets
  • Roofing tiles

4.1.3.Designing to minimise risk

  • (Natural) Hazard proofing

−Fire, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, storms, floods

−Combination of hazards

  • Climatic design

−Cold climates

−Wet climates

−Hot dry climates

  • Environmental issues
  • Health issues

−Vector control

−Toxic environments

−Air quality (cooking, heating)

  • Safety and security issues

−Safety: conflict and ordnance?

−Household security

  • Internal comfort

−Light

−Temperature (range, variability etc.)

−Ventilation

  • Socio-cultural issues

−Privacy

−Household activities

−Livelihood activities

4.1.4.Design for transition to permanent solutions

4.1.5.Incorporation of NFIs into shelter designs

4.2.Procurement and logistics

4.2.

4.2.1.Specifying materials

  • Importance of correctly specifying materials, advice on standard information which should be provided for common materials.

4.2.2.Sourcing materials

  • Emergency Market Mapping Analysis
  • Consideration of environmental issues

4.2.3.Supply chain

  • Purchasing
  • Transport

−Assessment of available transport and infrastructure for transport of materials to site

  • Storage

−Warehousing options

  • Distribution and distribution systems

4.2.4.Quality control

4.2.5.Avoiding bottlenecks

4.3.Transitional shelter construction

4.3.

4.3.1.Project management

  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Labour (selection and management)
  • Use of technical advice
  • Contracting
  • Tools and equipment

4.3.2.Site preparation

  • Building site layout and management
  • Development of a physical plan (inc. WATSAN, infrastructure, etc.)
  • Site clearance
  • Ground works, levelling and marking out

4.4.Sign over to beneficiaries

4.4.

4.4.1.Considerations

  • Continuation of technical advice/assistance after sign over.
  • Formal receipts and official acknowledgement

Appendices

Proposed number of pages: 10

A.Transitional Shelter Standards

Information on the Transitional shelter standards, currently being developed by Shelter Centre. The aim of the Transitional shelter standards project is to develop common standards and indicators, consistent with the Transitional shelter guidelines, for both locally produced and stockpiled, airliftable transitional shelters, developed and agreed upon by a multi-agency Project Consortium.

The most recent draft of the Transitional shelter standards is available here:

B.Evaluation tool

Information on the Transitional shelter evaluation tool, currently being produced by Shelter Centre. The evaluation tool is designed for use in the evaluation of completed transitional shelter projects. The tool is intended for general use in all operation types and by all implementing agencies. It is intended that the evaluation tool offer a general template for the evaluation of transitional shelter projects, allowing for easy comparison of similar operations, and the production of standard case studies.

C.Case studies

D.Resources

Acronyms

Annotated bibliography

Key references

Internet resources

Total pages: 81

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