Shelter, Housing and Home in Crises

The aim of our research is to improve the quality and effectiveness of reconstruction after the devastation and trauma of natural disaster and conflict. Shelter and settlements have wide impact and influence health, livelihoods, safety, environment, protection, education, water and sanitation, cultural identity and community.

It reaches vulnerable groups such as children, old people and the disabled. It influences psychosocial issues and is critical in disaster risk reduction and resilience.

Strategies for dealing with shelter in emergency settings can be controversial. Questions arise such as:

• how to balance immediate needs vs. planning for longer-term
• are construction materials appropriate to local knowledge and skills
• should local communities design and manage housing
• do traditional shelters contribute to people’s well-being and sense of community
• what role can innovative technologies play.

We work in collaboration with operational agencies to identify research projects on the impact of shelter, analyses and disseminate findings amongst the shelter community of practice.