Shelter and Settlements

Shelter and settlements programming carries one of the highest risks of negative environmental impacts in disaster management. However it also represents an opportunity to minimise potential environmental impacts by thorough assessments and robust environmental management. Inappropriately informed, designed or implemented shelter and settlement programming can lead to – but not exclusively – unsustainable rates of deforestation, land and soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and poorly managed waste streams. This can subsequently lead to a loss of livelihoods, compromised recovery efforts and diminished community resilience.

Shelter and settlements programming can directly cause environmental impacts, for example through material usage, waste generation and construction activities; and indirectly through promoting detrimental interactions between people and the environment. Quality assurance includes promoting environmental sustainability – a component of all quality programming – through shelter and shelter assistance and prevention and mitigation of negative environmental impacts. This is explicitly stated in the Core Humanitarian Standard that recognises minimising environmental impact as a key component of quality humanitarian response. The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response has a specific standard on Environmental Sustainability in Shelter and Settlements Programming.

Climate change acts as environmental threat and impact multiplier in shelter and settlements programming. Programming needs to acknowledge potential risks, and shelters and siting should reduce exposure and increase resilience to climate variability and change. The capacity of the local environment to provide key services, such as resource provisioning or natural protection against hazards, should be safeguarded.

For a full checklist of environmental issues to consider in shelter programming, consult the checklist on Identifying Critical Environmental Considerations in Shelter Site Selection, Construction, Management and Decommissioning of the Global Shelter Cluster. The NEAT+ (download the tool and guidance here) screening tool shelter chapter can also be used as a checklist of the major issues of concern to factor in while planning a shelter project. Some of the main issues to consider are:

Siting – The shelter location should be in a safe setting with adequate space for provisioning of latrines, water points, washing areas etc. Allow extra space for, and support to, household vegetable gardens to help increase vegetation cover, but also nutrition security. Consider the risks posed to, and by, the surrounding environment, such as protected areas, forests and industry.

Design – Integrate environmental impact analysis in all shelter and settlement planning. Promote energy efficiency by orienting buildings to limit or increase solar heating (depending on the local climate). Incorporating vegetation on the site can promote water retention and reduce flooding.

Materials – Selecting the most sustainable materials and techniques ensures local natural resources are not depleted and lessens long-term environmental damage. Locally available shelter materials are recommended, provided they do not negatively impact the local environment (e.g. unsustainable extraction of sand and gravel from rivers, felling of trees).

Construction – Salvage and reuse, recycle or repurpose materials including debris. Communities trained in construction of their own houses can create new employment opportunities.

Household items – Reduce packaging material or support the reuse of this for other purposes. Distribute shelter material that can be easily reused if relocation occurs. Implement a Solid Waste Management System and promote composting of biodegradable material.

Energy – Establish, restore and promote safe, reliable affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply systems. Replace the use of fired bricks with Soil-Stabilized Blocks (SSB) or Cement-Stabilized Blocks (CSB). Promote alternatives such as fuel-efficient stoves to reduce use of wood, solar panels for lighting and pumps. Supporting markets for alternative technologies could help a more widespread adoption. Include fuel efficient cooking techniques in trainings.