Introduction
Watch this short clip from the film ‘The time after tsunami’.
Objective
At the end of this part of the case study you will have an overview on how Sphere can be used in planning and implementing a shelter and non-food items response for disaster-affected people.
Question 1
Does the design of the shelters seen in the film meet Sphere standards?
Answer
No. A critical point that comes across in this film clip is that the shelter is unacceptable to the affected population; there is not enough ventilation, no security for women, and some of the affected people are without shelter. The Sphere handbook has a standard on shelter design, emphasizing the need for shelter to be acceptable to the affected population, and giving them a life with dignity.
Shelter and settlement standard 4: design
‘The design of the shelter is acceptable to the affected population and provides sufficient thermal comfort, fresh air and protection from the climate to ensure their dignity, health, safety and well-being.’
It is important that the shelter is acceptable to the affected population. To ensure this, it is necessary to discuss the question with the affected people, in order to understand their needs and culture to ensure that their dignity is being maintained. In the film, women are heard complaining that the shelters are too hot, and they are seen cooking outside, which may be culturally unacceptable for them. Guidance note 1: Participatory design.
Guidance note 1: Participatory design
‘Each affected household should be involved to the maximum extent possible in determining the final form and materials used. Priority should be given to the opinions of those groups or individuals who typically have to spend more time within the shelters. The orientation of the individual shelter or covered area, the sizing and layout of the space provided, the positioning of the door and window openings for adequate access, lighting and ventilation, and any internal subdivisions should reflect local practices where these are known to be safe. This should be informed by assessments of existing typical housing forms accommodating the respective needs.’
It is important also to remember the Sphere common standards such as participation – the disaster-affected population should be involved in the assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation of the assistance programme. Common standard 1: participation.
Common standard 1: participation
‘The disaster-affected population actively participates in the assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the assistance programme.’
Question 2
If you were planning shelter provision for these people, who would you consider? Tick all those which are relevant.
Answer
All except number 3 – the donors may not be in the best position to guide on the type of shelter needed.
The introduction in the Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items section of the Sphere handbook reminds us that everyone has a right to adequate housing.
‘Key aspects of the right to housing include the availability of services, facilities, materials and infrastructure; affordability; habitability; accessibility; location; and cultural appropriateness.’
Question 3
In the film, the people were complaining that they did not have enough space to live properly.
What is the indicator used for the total surface area for camp planning (per person) in the Sphere handbook?
Answer
D: 45 m². This is the indicator related to the temporary planned or self-settled camps that should be based on a minimum surface area of 45 m² for each person.
Key indicator 3: Minimum surface area
‘Temporary planned or self-settled camps are based on a minimum surface area of 45m² for each person (see guidance note 5).’
Shelter and settlement standard 2: physical planning
‘Local physical planning practices are used where possible, enabling safe and secure access to and use of shelters and essential services and facilities, as well as ensuring appropriate privacy and separation between individual household shelters.’
Shelter and settlement standard 2: physical planning (p.215)
The guidance note for this indicator helps us to think about the context: the planning should consider a growth in the population numbers. If the minimum surface area cannot be provided, consideration should be given to mitigating the consequences of higher density occupation, e.g. separation and privacy between individuals and households, and space for the required facilities.
Guidance note 5: Surface area
‘The planning guideline of 45m² per person includes household plots and the area necessary for roads, footpaths, educational facilities, sanitation, firebreaks, administration, water storage, distribution areas, markets and storage, plus limited kitchen gardens for individual households. Area planning should also consider evolution and growth of the population. If the minimum surface area cannot be provided, consideration should be given to mitigating the consequences of higher-density occupation e.g. separation and privacy between individual households, space for the required facilities, etc.’
Question 4
Imagine you have been given this piece of ground to relocate disaster-affected people, such as those seen in the film. The measurements are 900m x 500m. What is the ideal number of people for this space?
Answer
B: 10,000 people. This area measures 450,000 m², so there is enough space for 10,000 people if we are aiming to meet the indicator of 45 m² per person. This links to:
Shelter and settlement standard 2: physical planning
‘Local physical planning practices are used where possible, enabling safe and secure access to and use of shelters and essential services and facilities, as well as ensuring appropriate privacy and separation between individual household shelters.’
Shelter and settlement standard 2: physical planning (p.215)
Remember the difference between standards and indicators! The minimum standards are qualitative in nature and based on the principle that disaster-affect populations have rights – they have a right to shelter. The indicators measure that we are achieving the standards, so that we know that the rights of the affected people are being realized and that their shelter is of good quality.
Question 5
The film shows that people lost many of their possessions. If you were planning to respond, to assist these people with some non-food items, what do you think they might need?
Click on the pictures you think might be needed. As you click on each picture , the answers are revealed with links to the Sphere handbook.
Cooking pot for each person?
Answer
It is not necessary for each person to have a cooking pot, but each household should have access to a large-sized cooking pot with handle and a pan to act as a lid; a medium-sized cooking pot with handle and lid; a basin for food preparation or serving; a kitchen knife; and two wooden serving spoons, as described in the indicator (p.233), relating it to:
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils
‘Each disaster-affected household has access to cooking and eating utensils.’
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils (p.233)
Remember that the indicators should take into consideration the context: the type and size of pots will need to be appropriate, depending on the way people eat and cook, and the size of the households – how many people eat together etc.
Water container for each household?
Answer
Yes, though ideally there should be two water containers, to enable collection and storage. This is an indicator and relates to the standard on cooking and eating utensils:
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils
‘Each disaster-affected household has access to cooking and eating utensils.’
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils (p.233)
It is also an indicator for:
Water supply standard 1: access and water quality
‘People have adequate facilities and supplies to collect, store and use sufficient quantities of water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, and to ensure that drinking water remains safe until it is consumed.’
It is important that these water containers have lids or caps, to keep the water clean.
A cutlery set of a knife, fork and teaspoon?
Answer
Eating utensils are important, but a knife and fork may not be the most culturally acceptable items for these people.
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils
‘Each disaster-affected household has access to cooking and eating utensils.’
Non-food items standard 3: cooking and eating utensils (p.233)
The guidance note on appropriateness of cooking and eating utensils reminds us that items provided should be culturally appropriate. Cooking and eating utensils and water collection vessels should be sized to suit older people, disabled people and children as required.
Guidance note 1: Appropriateness
‘Items provided should be culturally appropriate and enable safe practices to be followed. Women or those typically overseeing the preparation of food and the collection of water should be consulted when specifying items. Cooking and eating utensils and water collection vessels should be sized to suit older people, people with disabilities and children as required.’
An infant feeding bottle for all young babies?
Answer
No! Infant feeding bottles should not be provided. It is important to encourage breast feeding, as it is the healthiest way to feed children under six months of age, especially where hygiene and care practices have broken down and the risk of infection is high.
Guidance for the standard on cooking and utensils reminds us not to give out feeding bottles as part of a kitchen set for families. There is also a guidance note in the nutrition section of the Sphere handbook, related to the standard on meeting the nutritional and support needs of identified at-risk groups.
Guidance note 4: Infant feeding
‘Infant feeding bottles should not be provided, unless exceptional circumstances require the provision of breast milk substitutes’
Guidance note 1: Infant feeding
‘Exclusive breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby under six months. Babies who are exclusively breastfed receive no prelactates, water, teas or complementary foods. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding are typically low and so it is important to promote and support breastfeeding, especially when hygiene and care practices have broken down and the risk of infection is high. There are exceptional cases where a baby cannot be exclusively breastfed (such as where the mother has died or the baby is already fully artificially fed). In these cases adequate amounts of an appropriate breast milk substitute should be used, judged according to the Codex Alimentarius standards, and relactation encouraged where possible. Breast milk substitutes can be dangerous because of the difficulties involved in safe preparation. Feeding bottles should never be used, as they are unhygienic. Professionals should be trained in providing adequate protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding, including relactation. If infant formula is distributed, care givers will need advice and support on its safe use. Procurement and distribution must adhere to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions.’
A set of clothes for each man, consisting of shirt, trousers and a light jacket?
Answer
Clothes are important, but they need to be culturally acceptable.
Key indicator 1: clothing
‘Women, girls, men and boys should all have at least one full set of clothing in the correct size, appropriate to culture, season and climate.’
In this setting in India, the women would prefer saris and the men would prefer lungis and sarongs, rather than trousers.
A set of underwear for everyone?
Answer
Yes, underwear is important, for both comfort and dignity, and is often forgotten. It is preferable to have more than one set of essential items such as underclothes to enable laundering. This corresponds to:
Non-food items standard 1: clothing and bedding
‘The people affected by the disaster have sufficient clothing, blankets and bedding to ensure their dignity, safety and well-being.’
Climate and laundering facilities should be considered when assisting with providing clothing.
Guidance note 1: Changes of clothing
‘Individuals should have access to sufficient changes of clothing to ensure their thermal comfort, dignity and safety. This could entail the provision of more than one set of essential items, particularly underclothes, to enable laundering.’
It is critical to consult and involve the affected people when planning distributions. Remember:
Common standard 1: participation
‘The disaster-affected population actively participate in the assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the assistance programme.’
It is important to involve all sections of the community – women, men and children – as they will have different views and needs, and they should be given the opportunity to engage in the programme. Not only the planning, but also the implementation, the monitoring, and the evaluation. They should not be simply passive participants, but should be actively involved.
Key indicator 1: Inclusion
‘Women and men of all ages from the disaster-affected and wider local populations, including vulnerable groups, receive information about the assistance programme, and are given the opportunity to comment to the assistance agency during all stages of the project cycle’.
Question 6
If you have 500 people, how much bathing soap would you need for a month? Choose a pile. Each bar is 250g.
Answer
500 bars. Each person should have access to 250g of bathing soap per month. There is another indicator on laundry soap. These indicators relate to:
Key indicator 1: Bathing soap
‘Each person has access to 250g of bathing soap per month’
Key indicator 2: Laundry soap
‘Each person has access to 200g of laundry soap per month’
Non-food items standard 2: personal hygiene
‘Each household has access to sufficient soap and other items to ensure personal hygiene, health, dignity and well-being.’
It is important that these items of personal hygiene are appropriate; cultural practices should be considered and products should be familiar. Sanitary protection for women is important, and women should be involved in making decisions about what is provided – their preferences are likely to be different in India from Europe, for example.
Guidance note 4: Sanitary protection
‘Women and girls should receive appropriate material for menstruation. It is important that these materials are appropriate and discreet and that women are involved in making decisions about what is provided.’
Conclusion
Finally, remember people’s rights. Everyone has a right to adequate housing.
‘Shelter is a critical determinant for survival in the initial stages of a disaster. Beyond survival, shelter is necessary to provide security and personal safety, protection from the climate and enhanced resistance to ill health and disease. It is also important for human dignity and to sustain family and community life as far as possible in difficult circumstances.’