Rethinking the Mud Hut

Typical African Mud Hut

Re-Invent the African Mud Hut. Design by Karolina and Wayne Switzer, participants of the Nka Foundation’s “10×10 Shelter Challenge” to design and build a 10 by 10 feet shelter deep in the heart of Ghana.

Rethinking Permancy

Though refugee camps are created and operate for immediate humanitarian relief in a variety of situations, the reality is that many of the people displaced stay and use the shelters and supplies provided to them well beyond the number of years considered temporary. In the case of the Iridimi Refugee Camp in Chad, many of the residents have been there since 2004, 8 years. I personally have not lived in a place, let alone a 'house' for longer than 8 years at a time, and every place I have lived was built with the idea that it was a permanent structure. While the tents provided by the UNHCR, one of the relief organizations that responded first in Iridimi, have been tested and designed to withstand the elements, and have done a remarkable job, they are now starting to fall apart due to constant use, time and weather. According to UNHCR Chad representative Jean Bosco, as of April 2, 2012, "the UN refugee agency has confirmed to Radio Dabanga that no refugees have repatriated to Darfur from Chad."

With some world refugee camps in operation for close to 30 years now, we must look at cost effective, feasible solutions for more permanent or transitional housing in these camps. There are problems with many governments that have allowed refugees to seek asylum there, not allowing any type of "permanent' housing solutions. The Chadian government has not opposed the building of  more 'permanent' structures in Eastern Chad, by the refugees. This makes the construction of housing and other infrastructural buildings feasible, however, building resources are extremely limited. The video below shows how some camps have turned to mud brick construction, as dirt is usually free or available at little cost.

i-ACT 11: Refugee Mud Hut Building from iActivism on Vimeo.

Yusuf Batil | Housing

Family tent provided by the UNHCR in Yusuf Batil camp.

Interior of familt tent provided by the UNHCR.

Family tent dimensions.

Tent Manufacturer

Moving On | Relocation to Yusuf Batil

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been transferring refugees from Jamam camp to Yusuf Batil camp, which has grown from 6,000 people to over 34,000 in recent weeks. Though flooding conditions are slightly better here, the onset of disease and malnutrition is not. Yusuf Batil camp remains one fastest growing camp for refugees fleeing violence and starvation in Sudan, yet the infllux of people makes for a hard time treating disease, providing sanitary conditions, and sufficient food.

New Arrivals to Yusuf Batil Camp

Photo by Reuters

Tent Housing

Source

Latrine

Photo by UNHCR

Alek Wek for UNHCR | South Sudan

Flooding in Jamam Camp

Over the last several months, Jamam Camp in South Sudan's Upper Nile State has dealt with heavy rains deteriorating camp conditions. Excessive flooding and low lying land have created a situation in which water-related illnesses and severe malnutrition is plaguing the camp population. Due to flooding, the small amount of crops that have been grown by the refugees are now destroyed, further worsening an already low amount of available food sources.

 ( Paula Bronstein, Getty Images / July 17, 2012 )

The horrible living conditions of the people of Jamam camp, who have mostly fled from conflict and hunger in the Blue Nile State of Sudan, has prompted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to relocate over 20,000 refugees to nearby camps Yusuf Batil, Doro, and new camp, Gendrassa.

Seeking Safety in Jamam Camp | South Sudan

Jamam Camp in Maban County, South Sudan is home to approximately 22,500 refugees from the ongoing conflict between Sudan and South Sudan. Most of these refugees are coming from the Blue Nile region of Sudan. Due to excessive flooding and low-lying lands, thousands of refugees are now being relocated again to the Gendrassa and Doro Refugee Camps. What once was to be a hopeful refuge has left many sick, hungry or dead.

This video is from January 11, 2012. Source: USAforUNHCR