Overview
This entry provides key information on minimum standards and best practice which should be referenced and consulted when developing planned settlements / camps as part of a refugee emergency response.
Generally, a sector specialist covers shelter and settlement needs assessment, analysis and site planning during the first phase of an emergency response.
Often a reception or transit centre is necessary for temporary accommodation at the beginning of a refugee crisis. Refer to entry on Transit Center standards for more information on these standards.
These guidance notes outline the minimum standards required to ensure planned settlements enable refugee communities to live with security and dignity in a healthy environment which improves their quality of life.
UNHCR Master Plan Approach to Settlement Planning Guiding Principles is a key reference when defining a settlement response. The choice of settlement location is a critical decision which will have significant impact on the protection and well-being of displaced people, as well as broader local development. While a well-positioned settlement can have multiple protective benefits and contribute to local development, a settlement in the wrong geographical location can threaten the protection and assistance of displaced persons and have negative consequences for local development and the peaceful coexistence of communities.
Main guidance
Emergency standard
There are several indicators determining the adequacy of shelter for refugees and displaced persons. (See links below for additional information).
2.1 Indicator
Average camp area per person: The size of a camp and area per capita is critical in the planning of camps as crowded conditions lead to increased morbidity and stress. The provision of adequate space, both outside and inside shelters is an essential requirement
The ‘average camp area per person (Sqm.)' indicator measures the average living space to which a person has access in a camp. This space should accommodate all services while promoting dignified living:
Indicator: Average camp area per person (Sqm) | |||
How should this indicator be measured: | |||
Standard: 45 sq. m |
Acceptable Range: ≥ 35 sq. m |
Unacceptable Range: 34 - 30 sq. m |
Critical Range: ≤ 29 sq. m |
A minimum surface area of 45 Sqm per person including household gardening space should be allocated.
30 Sqm per person will be necessary for roads, foot paths, educational facilities, sanitation, security, firebreaks, administration, water storage, distribution points, markets, storage of relief items and, of course, plots for shelter. It excludes however, any land for significant agricultural activities or livestock. The remaining 15 Sqm per person is allocated to household gardens attached to the family plot which should be included in the site plan from the outset.
2.2 Emergency standard
The design of planned settlements follow SPHERE emergency standards. The table below defined the minimum standards to be applied.
Description | Minimum Standard |
Covered living area | 3.5 sqm. Per person minimum In cold climates and urban areas more than 3.5 sqm. may be required(4.5 sqm. to 5.5 sqm. is more appropriate) Minimum ceiling height of 2m at highest point |
Camp settlement size | 45 sqm. per person (incl. kitchen and vegetable garden) |
Fire Safety | 30 m firebreak every 300 m Minimum 2 m between structures – use 2 times the height of the structure as an appropriate distance. |
Gradient for camp site | 1 to 5 %, ideally 2 to 4% |
Drainage | Appropriate drainage needs to be put in place, especially relevant in locations that experience a rainy season or flash floods. |
Table 1 - Minimum standards for planning camps
Site planning should begin from the scale of the individual refugee family, addressing needs at household level, such as their distance to water, access to communal services, recreation facilities, access to showers and latrines, waste management, etc
It is advisable to consider the social structures and relations within persons of concern, including clan, tribes and extended family arrangements, as well as their traditional settlement layouts and shelter preferences. This consideration will yield a greater degree of satisfaction, and sense of ownership.
The following table uses the family unit as the smallest planning ‘module' and builds up to larger units:
Module | Structure | Approximate number |
Family | 1 x family | 4 ‐ 6 persons |
Community | 16 x families | 80 persons |
Block | 16 x communities | 1,250 persons |
Sector | 4 x blocks | 5,000 persons |
Settlement | 4 x sectors | 20,000 persons |
Table 2 – Indicative modular planning units
The following are recommended site planning standards for services and infrastructure and should be referred to when preparing the camp layout:
Description | Standard | Further consideration |
Communal latrine | 1 per 20 persons - emergency phase | Separate latrine areas for men and women For long-term accommodation use one household latrine per family |
Latrine distance | Not more than 50m from shelter and not closer than 6m | Latrines must be close enough to encourage their use but far enough to prevent problems with smells and pests |
Shower | 1 per 50 persons | Separate, well drained, shower areas for men and women |
Water supply | 20 litres per person per day | |
Water tap stand | 1 per 80 persons | 1 per community |
Water distance | Max. 200m from household | No dwelling should be further than a few minutes' walk from a water distribution point |
Rubbish container of 100 litres | 1 per 50 persons | 1 per 10 families |
Refuse pit – 2mx5mx2m | 1 per 500 persons | 1 per 100 families |
Health centre | 1 per 20,000 persons | 1 per settlement Include water and sanitation facilities |
Referral hospital | 1 per 200,000 persons | 1 per 10 settlements |
School | 1 per 5,000 persons | 1 per sector 3 classrooms, 50 Sqm. |
Distribution centre | 1 per 5,000 persons | 1 per sector |
Market place | 1 per 20,000 persons | 1 per settlement |
Feeding centre | 1 per 20,000 persons | 1 per settlement |
Storage area | 15 to 20 Sqm. per 100 persons | Refugee storage |
Lighting | As appropriate | Consider priority locations such as latrine, wash areas, public service areas |
Registration area | As appropriate | May include arrivals area, medical clearance, distribution, parking |
Administration / office | As appropriate | |
Security post | As appropriate | |
Security fencing | Depending on the circumstances |
Table 3 – Site planning standards for services and infrastructure
2.3 Site selection criteria:
Sites for planned camps should be selected in consultation with a range of sectors, including WASH, protection and supply, as well as with technical specialists such as hydrologists, surveyors, planners, engineers, and environmental engineers. Developing an inappropriate site or failing to develop a site to standards can result in further displacement causing unnecessary further loss and distress to persons of concern and may put some people/groups at further risk. Refer to the UNHCR Master Plan Assessment Template, which includes the Site Assessment Form to help you define suitability of a given site.
The operational context will determine site selection criteria. In general, however, the following factors need to be considered when selecting sites for refugee settlement:
Topography, drainage, soil conditions |
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Water resources |
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Land Rights |
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Accessibility |
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Security |
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Environment and Vegetation |
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Table 4 – Site selection factors of importance
Annexes
Links
Main contacts
Shelter and settlement section, Division of Programme Support and Management. At: [email protected]
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