Introduction
Humanitarian crises caused by armed conflict, climate change, natural disasters, and protracted displacement continue to place millions of people at risk worldwide. Families forced to flee their homes often face immediate threats to safety, health, and dignity due to inadequate shelter and limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Without these essential services, vulnerable populations—particularly women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are exposed to heightened risks of disease outbreaks, gender-based violence, and long-term socio-economic instability.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, access to adequate shelter is a cornerstone of protection and human dignity in displacement contexts. Similarly, the UNICEF underscores that safe water and sanitation are critical to preventing waterborne diseases and reducing child mortality in emergency settings.
In many humanitarian environments, emergency responses prioritize immediate relief but lack integrated, climate-resilient, and sustainable approaches that strengthen long-term community resilience. As climate shocks intensify and displacement becomes increasingly protracted, there is an urgent need for solutions that combine resilient shelter design with sustainable WASH infrastructure and strong community engagement.
The Resilient Shelter and WASH Programs initiative seeks to address these challenges by delivering integrated, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable solutions that protect lives, restore dignity, and build resilience among crisis-affected populations.
Background and Rationale
Humanitarian crises caused by conflict, climate change, and natural disasters continue to displace millions worldwide. In emergency and protracted displacement settings, inadequate shelter and limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services increase vulnerability to disease outbreaks, protection risks, and long-term poverty.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, access to adequate shelter is fundamental to protection and dignity in displacement contexts. The UNICEF highlights that improved WASH services significantly reduce waterborne diseases and child mortality in emergency settings.
This project proposes an integrated shelter and WASH response to enhance safety, dignity, and resilience among crisis-affected populations.
Project Goal
To improve living conditions, health outcomes, and resilience of displaced and vulnerable populations through climate-resilient shelter and sustainable WASH services.
Objectives
- Provide resilient emergency or transitional shelters to 1,500 households.
- Ensure access to safe water for 10,000 individuals.
- Construct gender-sensitive sanitation facilities in camps or host communities.
- Promote hygiene awareness to reduce disease outbreaks.
- Strengthen community-based maintenance and disaster preparedness systems.
Target Beneficiaries
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
- Refugees and returnees
- Women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities
- Host community households
Indirect beneficiaries: Local health systems and community institutions
Key Activities
- Resilient Shelter Construction
- Safe Water Access
- Installation/rehabilitation of boreholes and hand pumps
- Solar-powered water supply systems
- Water storage tanks and distribution networks
- Water quality testing and treatment systems
- Sanitation Facilities
- Construction of gender-segregated latrines
- Disability-accessible sanitation units
- Waste management systems
- Drainage improvements to prevent flooding
- Hygiene Promotion
- Community hygiene awareness campaigns
- Distribution of hygiene kits (soap, menstrual hygiene materials)
- School-based WASH programs
- Community health volunteer training
- Community Governance & Capacity Building
- Formation of WASH committees
- Shelter maintenance groups
- Disaster risk reduction (DRR) training
- Community-led monitoring mechanisms
Implementation Timeline (18–24 Months)
Phase 1 Rapid needs assessment & site planning Month X–X
Phase 2 Shelter & WASH infrastructure implementation Month X–XX
Phase 3 Hygiene promotion & capacity building Month X–XX
Phase 4 Evaluation & sustainability planning Month XX–XX
Expected Outcomes
- Improved safety and dignity for 1,500 households
- Reduced incidence of waterborne diseases
- Increased access to clean and safe water
- Strengthened community ownership of shelter and WASH facilities
- Enhanced resilience to future emergencies
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Shelter occupancy and safety assessments
- Water quality and usage monitoring
- Disease incidence tracking
- Beneficiary satisfaction surveys
- Mid-term and final evaluation reports
Sustainability Strategy
- Community-managed WASH funds
- Capacity building for local technicians
- Partnerships with local authorities
- Integration with national disaster response frameworks
Estimated Budget (Sample – Medium to Large Scale)
Shelter Materials & Construction $XXXXXX
Water Infrastructure $XXXXXX
Sanitation Facilities $XXXXXX
Hygiene Promotion & Kits $XXXXXX
Staff & Technical Experts $XXXXXX
Monitoring & Evaluation $XXXXXX
Administrative Costs $XXXXXX
Total Estimated Budget $XXXXXXX
Conclusion
Integrated shelter and WASH interventions are essential for protecting health, dignity, and resilience in humanitarian settings. By combining climate-resilient shelter design with sustainable water and sanitation systems and strong community engagement, this project will deliver life-saving support while promoting long-term sustainability.
