Site selection and camp planning

1. Site selection and camp planning • 247 Burundi, 1995 This sessionlooks at self-settled and planned IDP and refugee camps, following both natural disaster and conflict

2. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

3. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

4. Camps in conflicts and natural disasters Macedonia FYR, 2005 • Camps following natural disasters: • should be as close as safely possible to where the community used to live so that they may remain close to their livelihoods, property, belongings, crops and livestock • should exist for as short a time period as possible, until there is nofurtherrisk from the hazard • Camps following conflicts: • should be at a safe distance from the conflict • care should be taken to ensure that political factions or ethnic groups do not dominate • political or ethnic groups that are hostile to each other should be segregated through planning and dispersing settlement • should be planned for medium term occupation through phased development and expansion

5. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

6. Self-settled and planned camps Self-settled and planned camps are two of the six transitional settlement options for displaced populations: self-settled camps planned camps host families rural self-settlement urban self-settlement collective centres The vast majority of camps are self-settled Camps may be supported because they are convenient to the government or to humanitarian organisations Except in special circumstances, such as extreme insecurity, camps should be a last resort following both conflicts and disasters Preference should be given to supporting othertransitional options selected by affected populations, such as through rural and urban self-settlement Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

7. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

8. Contingency plan for supporting camps • A contingency plan should be a part of an integrated strategy that • includes other transitional settlement options such as host • families • A contingency plan should include: • A. forming committees to consider site selection, planning, standards, assessments and coordination • B. identifying a series of sites for camps beforedisplacement occurs, preparing sites and stock-piling materials • The plan should also include: • estimated size of the affected population • estimated time, duration, size and location of influxes • initial schedule and management of works (Gantt chart)

9. Dispersal of camps Pakistan, 2005 For each camp consider the needs of affected populations, host populations and the environment. Is one big camp preferable to several smaller camps? The dispersal of camps may have positive or negative impacts on: • access to livelihoods • vulnerability to hazards • vulnerability to internal and • and external threats • relations with host populations • diversity of water sources • environment and natural resource • management as illustrated

10. Maintaining communities Keep communities together as much as possible. Reflect communities belonging to different villages in a neighbourhood structure in a larger camp community A A B community B C community C D community D • Maintain similar spatial environments of affected populations: • rural populations often prefer larger family plots and additional grazing and farmland, or space for kitchen gardens • urban populations often prefer smaller plots and close proximity Pakistan, 2006

11. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

12. Evaluating and selecting sites Malta, 2007 • The site of a self-settled camp needs to be evaluated • Sites for planned camps need to be identified, prioritised and • selected • Assess sites in relation to: • security and hazards • land tenure and use • access routes • topography, ground conditions and climate • water resources • impacts on the host population • potential for future growth • impacts on environment including available natural resources such as fuel wood

13. Self-settled camps: evaluating sites • 103 Self-settled camps are established in an emergency phase without reference to international standards • Detailed assessment of self-settled camps is required in order to • decide whether to: • select a new site in consultation with the displaced • population and host populations • upgrade the infrastructure and facilities of the existing camp Self-settled camps Liberia, 1998

14. Planned camps: selecting sites • 106 • Through participation, involve all stakeholders in identifying the • positive and negative factors of each potential camp location in • order to reach consensus on appropriate site selection • All sites will have negative factors which will affect the host • and affected community to varying degrees • For each site list and compare positive and negative factors: • for the displaced population • on the host community • on the environment • for government and assisting agencies Planned camps Albania, 1999

15. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

16. Laying out a camp 106 • Before laying out a camp, the following steps can be • undertaken: • 1. identify possible sites • decide on size and numbers of camps • determine how to maintain and group communities • phase the plan to stay ahead of influx • plan for future growth and contingencies for scenarios • confirm site borders and land and resource use with local populations, affected populations, authorities and agencies • map topography and features such as rock outcroppings, etc. • plan access route • map contour routes • locate key facilities • plan utilities • plan sectors, blocks and communities Planned camps DRC, 2008

17. Sectors, blocks and communities • A camp with approx. 20,000 inhabitants (4 sectors) • Fire breaks:30m per built-up 300m • Roads and water follow contours • Administrative centre in the middle • Each sector with approx. 5,000 inhabitants (4 blocks) • fire breaks: 15m between blocks • should contain central/recreational spaces • Each block having approx. 1,250 inhabitants • (16 communities) • fire breaks: 6m (pathways) • The community with approx. 80 inhabitants • (16 plots with 16 shelters) • fire breaks: 2m between dwellings • drainage should be well planned and maintained • drain water must not pollute or cause erosion Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

18. Central camp facilities Liberia, 1998 In large camps, distribution centres and clinics may be needed in each sector, while space should be left for shops in each block infrastructure including: distribution centre, clinic, feeding centre secure logisticscompound supply public space, market, school, recreational area supply road

19. Controlled water access upstream Protected collection of water for drinking, cooking and bathing using abstraction galleries, wells, pumps, gravity fed water distribution from tanks Latrines and cemeteries must be kept away from water sources Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) Consider other users and livestock watering downstream downstream

20. Separate areas for livestock • If animal husbandry is common: • provision should be agreed for grazing or fodder • seasonal activities such as lambing and migrations for • grazing should be considered • provision should be made for hygienic butchery • separate areas should be planned for watering

21. Laying out communities and blocks • There are various ways to plan the layout of a community • Options must be explored with the community through • participatory assessment • Different layout options include: • Staggered plan • Hollow square plan • Community road plan Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

22. Grid planning W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W R R R R R S Legend tap stand latrines refuse S shop wash area Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

23. Hollow square planning W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W R R R R S S S Legend tap stand latrines refuse S shop wash area Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

24. Contour planning: terrace W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W R R R R R S Legend tap stand latrines refuse S shop wash area Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005)

25. Contour planning: cul-de-sac W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W R R R R S Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations (Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) Legend tap stand latrines refuse refuse S shop wash area

26. Contour planning • Local villages, towns and settlements usually follow contours • Follow topographic features by responding to: • slope • avoiding steep areas • taking advantage of flat areas Camps should also follow contours in order to: • maximise land use, when compared to grid planning • minimisehazards such as land-slides, also by stabilizing steep slopes using erosion builds • reduce infrastructure costs maintenance to roads and water • surface drainage

27. Phasing Liberia, 1998 • Process to stay ahead of the influx rate • assess number of people in transit • assess when displaced population is expected to arrive • Set up emergency facilities to manage the emergency influx • These include: • reception centre • defecation fields • emergency distribution facilities • Ensure there is sufficient labour capacity at reception centre • to receive and screen people at arrival • to clear brush and mark out sites, avoiding deforestation • Leave space for further development and plan for future • upgrading

28. Upgrading self-settled camps Liberia, 1998 • Phased relocation can be used to upgrade or extend • self-settled camps to international standards with a displaced • population • 5 steps to phased relocation: • identify community group • identify additional land adjacent • to the camp or another site • plan the extension with the • participation of the community groups • relocate the community to the new site • repeat process until entire • camp has been relocated or upgraded Self-settled camps

29. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

30. Scheduling and managing works • The following 8 steps may be considered in scheduling and • managing works: • 1. ensure permissions of all stakeholders • 2. create a schedule of works • procure resources, labour and equipment • (pre-positioning of material, equipment) • 4. mark out the site • 5. carry out ground preparation • 6. build emergency infrastructure • 7. upgrade existing infrastructure • 8. handover

31. Schedule of works example • A schedule of works should also include: • who is responsible for each activity • critical milestones and deadlines • critical events, such as monsoons • specific capacities or equipment such as bulldozers

32. Session objectives ! • The key learning objectives of this session are to form an • understanding of: • camps in conflicts and natural disasters • self-settled camps and planned camps • managing influx • evaluating and selecting sites • laying out a camp • scheduling and managing works • closure of a camp

33. Camp closure • The closure of a camp must be considered during initial negotiations with government, host populations and displaced populations in order to agree: • land infrastructure (e.g. roads and buildings) improvements suitable to both the camp population, and host population upon handover, such as a therapeutic feeding centre finally being used as a school • the activities that must be undertaken upon closure, such as filling in pit-latrines • environmental recovery programmes • the handover of the land • the handover of purpose built infrastructure and equipment, such as buildings, roads, bore holes and pumps

34. 10 mins Discussion Key point • In pairs, discuss: • left side of the room:list advantages of contour planning • right side of the room:list advantages of grid planning Planning a camp Contour planning Grid planning Discussion in pairs Each pair agrees a key point

35. Bibliography ‘Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations’(Corsellis and Vitale, 2005) ‘Handbook for Emergencies’(UNHCR, 2007) ‘Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response’(The Sphere Project, 2004)