UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies - UNHCR eCentre

136
Camps
11. This type of settlement is where refugees
find accommodation in purpose built sites
where a full range of services, for example
water, sanitation, are provided, usually exclusively
for the population of the site.
12. High density camps with very large populations
are the worst possible option for
refugee accommodation. However, this may
be the only option because of decisions by the
host country or simply because of a lack of
alternatives. They are common in areas with
little or no pre-existing infrastructure or where
the size of the refugee population is such that
it would put an intolerable strain on the local
resources if the two other types of settlement
mentioned above were used.
13. The advantages of this type of settlement
are:
i. Services can be provided to a large population
in a centralized and efficient way;
ii. There may be economies of scale in the
provision of some services compared with
more dispersed settlements;
iii. The refugee population can be easy to
identify and communicate with;
iv. Voluntary repatriation can be easier to
organize.
14. The disadvantages of this type of settlement
are:
i. High population density seriously increases
health risks to the population;
ii. High risk of environmental damage in the
immediate vicinity of the camp;
iii. High population concentrations, particularly
close to international borders, may
make the population vulnerable to protection
problems;
iv. Large camps may provide a hiding place
and support base for armed groups who
should be excluded from refugee status. It
may be difficult to distinguish these groups
from the normal refugee population and
thus they may continue to benefit from assistance.
Organization of Response
◆ Site selection, planning and shelter have
a major bearing on the provision of other
assistance.
◆ This subject must therefore be considered as
essential to a problem and needs assessment
and response.
◆ Expertize is necessary, as is swift coordinated
planning of a new site or the improvement
of existing conditions.
Introduction
15. Site selection, planning and provision of
shelter have a direct bearing on the provision
of other assistance and will be important
considerations in the overall assessment of
problems and needs and planning of response.
Decisions must be taken as part of an integrated
approach and in light of the advice of
specialists and views of the refugees.
Contingency Planning
16. Ideally sites should be selected, planned
and developed prior to the arrival of the
refugees. However, frequently the scale,
nature, timing or direction of movement of
the refugee flow will mean that some or all
aspects of a contingency plan may need to be
modified in the face of changing or unforeseen
events. The information previously gathered
in the contingency planning process,
however, will usually be useful.
17. Because of the nature of emergencies,
and because practical and political considerations
are often the primary determinant of
the location of a site, the immediate priority
will often be to improve sites where refugees
have spontaneously settled.
Information for Site Selection and Planning
18. The information previously gathered
from the contingency planning process, and
information already available (maps and data)
should be reviewed to assist in determining
the range of options for sites. Information
that is essential for planning will often be in
the form of maps, reports surveys and other
data and should typically cover such areas as
topography, land use, climate, soils, geology,
hydrology, vegetation, infrastructure and key
natural and cultural resources. Sources of information
may include government offices,
educational institutions and UN agencies.
UNHCR Headquarters, through the focal point
on Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
can also support operations with maps, aerial
photographs, satellite images and a special
geographic database.
Expertize and Personnel
19. Expertize may be required in the fields
of hydrology, surveying, physical planning,
engineering (e.g. water supply, environmental