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| Typical African Mud Hut |
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| 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. |
Monday, November 26, 2012
Rethinking the Mud Hut
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.
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.
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