Good Shelter and Settlement Programming

Well-designed shelter programmes are based on the most fundamental principles of protection: a roof over one’s head, clothing on one’s body; and at a minimum, freedom from physical harm and violence. The settlement as a whole as well as individual shelters or ‘homes’ are often where people can find well-being and safety, as recognized by adequate housing being a human right. Shelters must be habitable, provide physical safety and adequate space, as well as protection against the cold, damp, heat, rain, wind, and other climatic threats which may impact on health. In essence, the process of sheltering is primarily about safeguarding health, security, privacy and dignity, and shelters are a physical manifestation of protection.While well implemented Shelter operations can reduce risks of GBV, poorly implemented programmes, that do not consider the risks that people are facing, can increase risks of GBV....