Raising preparedness by risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness and improvement of emergency shelters

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a winterised tent for emergency shelter use in cold climate regions. As in any risk management process the risk analysis and evaluation are of major importance. First, a risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness is presented. Second, a number of feasible floor insulations for tents will be dealt with.Design/methodology/approachThe risk analysis was undertaken evaluating the homelessness data of the EM‐DAT (Emergency Disasters Data Base) database. For the development of a floor insulation the literature on past‐disasters was reviewed and experts in the field of emergency shelters were consulted. Furthermore, a transfer of knowledge from other fields was undertaken, e.g. from build materials.FindingsIt was found that beside the endangerment the human development status is of major importance for the number of people left homeless by a natural disaster. A number of floor insulations were developed which allow for thermal comfort of the tent occupants up to a ground temperature of −10°C.Research limitations/implicationsHaving investigated analytically various options for a floor insulation, consequently field testing becomes necessary.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates that thermal comfort is not possible without an appropriate floor insulation and therefore highlights the need to consider it as an integral part of tent winterisation.Originality/valueWithin the scope of tent winterisation this paper widens the view from the usual restriction on roof insulation towards a fully winterised tent and addresses thereby all persons working in the field of emergency shelters.