Refugee Shelter Research Articles

A Human-Centered Shelter Design for People on the Move in the Al-Sahel Region

This article addresses the development of a human-centered shelter design tailored to meet the specific needs of refugees in the Al-Sahel Region. It focuses on five essential aspects of humanitarian-centered design. The goal is to create a livable unit that accommodates the three distinct phases of an emergency, transitional, and durable situation. We have adopted a non-linear design approach to develop the refugee shelter unit. We engage in discussions with team experts following each data collection phase. The conceptual design of the shelter unit is intended to align with the refugee settlement’s natural growth while maintaining a degree of control over its evolution. We have outlined a spatial configuration for a residential unit designed for three to six individuals and various patio options. Additionally, we have devised plans for an education and healthcare facility, all designed with the same structure to bring a more organized approach to the organic growth of the camp. The design proposal adopts a process-oriented approach, incorporating refugees indirectly in the design and construction of their shelters. While we do not assert that the framework of a ‘refugee camp’ can be sustainable, our goal is to show that its planning, in the absence of alternatives, should adhere to sustainability criteria.

“The police came in white protective suits and with batons, it was pure disaster” – a multi-stakeholder perspective on infection control in reception centers for asylum seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations residing in confined settings such as refugee shelters: Physical distancing measures were challenging to implement in shelters due to shared rooms or communal use of kitchens and sanitary facilities, which increased the risk of infections. Meanwhile, individuals’ capabilities for individual protection strategies were severely impaired by the structure of the shelters. Consequently, shelters had the duty to develop and implement strategies for the prevention and handling of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of refugees, NGO employees, and shelter directors regarding COVID-19-related measures in German refugee shelters. The study aimed to identify challenges and conflicts arising from implemented measures, as well as expectations for improved support during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured and narrative interviews were conducted with 6 refugees, 6 facility managers, 12 NGO staff, and 2 social service agency staff from February to August 2022. Qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the data, identifying overarching themes and codes.ResultsThe study uncovered challenges and conflicts resulting from pandemic measures, particularly mass quarantine orders, within refugee shelters. Lack of transparency and ineffective communication worsened tensions, with refugees feeling distressed and anxious. The quarantine experience had a negative impact on refugees’ mental health, which was exacerbated by limited social interaction and leisure-time activities. Shelter managers encountered administrative challenges when implementing measures due to facility constraints and limited resources, while NGO employees encountered obstacles in providing immediate assistance due to legal regulations and a lack of cooperation from shelter managers.ConclusionsThe study highlights that shelters are problematic institutions from a public health perspective. It shows the importance of implementing customized pandemic interventions in refugee shelters that take account of the diverse needs and experiences of both refugee and staff. To achieve this, we recommend to establish an ethics committee and involve various stakeholders in decision-making processes. Additionally, enhancing information dissemination to promote transparency and public understanding of measures is crucial. These insights can help develop comprehensive and effective pandemic plans for refugee shelters, ensuring better preparedness for future public health crises.

Successful Refugee Cohabitation With Host Families: A Concept Analysis and Model Development.

Purpose: This concept analysis aims to address the gap in knowledge regarding the concept of successful refugee cohabitation with host families. It seeks to develop a conceptual model that integrates holistic nursing and healthcare practices into refugee cohabitation settings to enhance refugee well-being. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Walker and Avant's methodology for concept analysis. Findings: Successful refugee cohabitation with host families concept characterized by peaceful coexistence, power dynamics, hospitality, and cultural tolerance. Antecedents include refugee shelter needs, societal acceptance, humanitarian solidarity, and legal support. Consequences include refugee inclusion and integration, societal cohesion, psychological well-being, and refugee-host acceptance. Conclusions: Successful refugee cohabitation is defined as a private hosting arrangement that embodies shared living spaces and peaceful coexistence amid conflict or crises, fostering resilience and support for displaced individuals by local citizens. It combines hospitality, balanced power, and cultural tolerance, driven by refugee needs for shelter and a commitment to successful refugee settlement and integration. This hosting arrangement promotes societal development and cohesion, economic growth, psychological well-being, and foster inclusion and intergroup tolerance. The integration of holistic nursing principles into refugee cohabitation practices can foster more inclusive and healthy communities.

SOCIAL AND PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY IN UKRAINE: CURRENT TRENDS IN THE CONTEXT OF WAR

The article presents the results of a study on social and pedagogical activity in Ukraine in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, including current trends in the work of a social pedagogue in the educational sphere. The emphasis is placed on the importance of social and pedagogical/social work in the context of the war, which has caused significant challenges in the humanitarian sphere. The importance of support from the international community is emphasized, particularly in the social sphere (providing shelter for Ukrainian refugees, supporting the education of Ukrainian children displaced to other regions and abroad, humanitarian aid at the beginning of the fullscale war, etc.). The research methodology includes methods of theoretical and empirical analysis, including theoretical analysis of international guidelines for social and pedagogical/social work; empirical analysis of normative and instructional documents on the activities of a social pedagogue in the educational sphere, including in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war; empirical (qualitative) analysis of essays by students of the specialty "social work" of the University "Ukraine" (Kyiv, Ukraine) on the topic "Social pedagogy: essence and importance in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war"; generalization and systematization of research results. Due to the specifics of the research, we gave preference to the qualitative methodology. The results of the study allowed us to generalize the current trends in social and pedagogical activity in the educational sphere. These include: creation of a psychologically comfortable educational environment for all participants in the educational process (pupils, teachers, parents); providing psychosocial support to students affected by the war (children from families of combatants, children from families of internally displaced persons, etc.); implementation of measures for social adaptation and rehabilitation; formation of a culture of safety and other competencies important in the context of war, etc.

Designing folded modular houses as refugee shelters at disaster sites

Designing folded modular houses as refugee shelters at disaster sites

Beyond Survival: Developing Sustainable and Resilient Refugee Shelters through Biomimicry

Beyond Survival: Developing Sustainable and Resilient Refugee Shelters through Biomimicry

The religious landscape amidst warfare in Ukraine: assessing the situation

The purpose of the academic paper is to provide a general description of the milestone events in the religious and church life of Ukraine in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, with an emphasis on tendencies after the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Given that the war is ongoing, we focused on issues related to the receipt of the Tomos by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the religious component of the “Russkiy mir” policy. Sociological indicators from monitoring the religious situation in Ukraine after the full-scale invasion demonstrate the following trends: war, especially a full-scale invasion, has impacted all spheres of life but religion continues to remain a significant factor in socio-humanitarian life; religious diversity is maintained with the predominance of Orthodox communities; regional differences on the religious map of Ukraine persist; after the full-scale invasion, there has been a slight increase in the number of people identifying as religious, and the number of citizens seeking communication with clergy has increased, primarily for psycho-emotional relief and support. The importance of religion and the Church in humanitarian missions, balancing society’s spiritual condition, and helping people in need of material and other support, such as volunteer labor or a refugee shelter, is becoming increasingly clear. The war has significantly forced many believers and spiritual leaders of denominations to reconsider their attitude to the war and civic engagement in the war. These tendencies are especially noticeable in the Protestant environment. In the territories occupied by Russia, believers of different communities and denominations continue to be harassed, religious freedom is violated, and a deliberate policy of incorporating religious space into the mainstream of Russian religious and church policy within the framework of the ideology of the “Russkiy mir” and the Russian Orthodox Church is being pursued.

In Search of Durable Solutions for Refugees in Indonesia: A State Security and Human Rights Protection Approach

The Indonesian government is experiencing difficulties in dealing with the refugee problem. This is because the number of refugees in the waiting period is increasing and the destination country limits the acceptance quota. Currently, the refugee problem in Indonesia is regulated in Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016. However, its implementation has not been optimal, as it is hampered by coordination and legal compliance factors. The implementation of the Presidential Regulation creates inconsistencies in legal norms with other regulations. Then, some local governments have begun to reject the presence of refugees. They are not willing to prepare shelters for refugees, because it burdens the budget. Currently, the government does not have a long-term solution that can be used to solve the refugee problem in Indonesia. This paper will discuss Indonesia’s role in solving the refugee problem by formulating strategic policies from a humanitarian perspective. This article uses socio-legal research with a qualitative approach. Although not a state party to the 1951 Convention, Indonesia has adopted various international laws that protect the human rights of refugees. However, its legal legitimacy is still disputed from the perspective of state security and sovereignty. Indonesia continues to be encouraged to ratify the convention to strengthen the promotion and defense of refugee rights. In fact, ratification can be a quick way to bridge the gap between international and domestic legal frameworks in addressing refugee issues in Indonesia. However, the government cannot wait to resolve this issue until the convention is ratified. There are several long-term solutions that can be practiced to address the refugee issue, including: pushing for human rights instruments to implement the basic rights of refugees; re-establishing the refugee issue as part of the National Human Rights Action Plan; revising Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016; and formulating a new policy with Indonesia, UNHCR, and giving greater authority to IOM to empower refugees while they wait to enter the destination country.

The Using of Container For Earthquake Mitigation Shelter In West Jawa

Bandung is a city in West Java. Bandung has unique topography because it is surrounded by volcanoes. This condition causes Bandung to become an earthquake prone area. It is necessary to plan the disaster mitigation if an earthquake occurs. One thing that needs to be planned is a refugee shelter. The shelter must be strong enough to resist the aftershocks and quick to install.and disassemble. Container can be one of the best option for the shelter. This research uses container material as the existing structure that will be tested for resistance to seismic loads (Bandung). Seismic load testing is carried out using the ETABS software following the design requirements according to SNI 1726:2019. There are six variations of the containers arrangement tested for stiffness and strength. All variations of the modified container arrangement meet the requirements for stiffness and strength against earthquake forces according to SNI 1726:2019 regulations.

An Innovative Concept for 3D Sand-Printed Sustainable Refugee Shelters in a Sandy Desert in a Hot and Dry Climate

This article deals with the urban and architectural concept of a shelter for refugees (refugees from civil war-stricken Syria), located in a desert area, in a hot and dry climate. The aim of the research was to develop a design concept for a temporary shelter that would provide refugees with decent living conditions and, at the same time, meet the demands of sustainable development. The conceptual design of the shelter includes a complex of 100 residential units intended for 500 refugees, service buildings, and public spaces. The proposed urban layout can be expanded multiple times. At an architectural scale, the concept includes several variants of residential units. To implement this project, it is proposed to use an innovative, environmentally friendly 3D printing technology employing quartz sand and using solar energy. The implementation of this technology in the construction of shelters for refugees in sandy desert areas will solve many problems related to logistics, availability of building materials, and energy costs. The design solutions proposed in the article are the result of taking into account technological, functional, cultural, humanitarian, economic, climatic, and ecological aspects.

Adolescence, migration, music and psychoanalytic tools into play

AbstractIn this article, the authors aim to exemplify how psychoanalysis can apply to the community partially modifying its external setting, such as opening to group settings and including arts and music, while remaining firm in some structural tools, such as psychoanalytical observation and listening, play and attention to the intrapsychic dynamics of participants, including the psychoanalysts and their countertransference. They illustrate the experience of some projects, in particular one carried out for 3 years and ongoing, where young migrants, hosted in Refugee Shelters, meet Italian students in Secondary Schools. This article also describes the value of Music as an element of ‘psychoanalytic play’, establishing intrapsychic and interpersonal links.

Use of an application on the measles vaccine for Warao indigenous refugees in Brazil.

To evaluate the need to develop an application with information about the measles vaccine for Warao indigenous people. This was a quantitative study conducted at the Espaço de Acolhimento Tapanã refugee shelter in the city of Belém, Pará, Brazil. The study sample was selected for convenience. Data were analyzed descriptively using Bioestat 5.0 software. Twenty-one Warao indigenous individuals were interviewed. It was identified that 91% (n=20) had lost their vaccination card; 91% (n=20) stated they had lost their vaccination card more than three times, and 91% expressed interest in an application to store their vaccination information. The research provided important information for the development of a health application named WaraoMedI (Warao Measles Diversity Indigenous), as well as offered nursing professionals evidence about the challenges Warao indigenous refugees face in self-managing their vaccination information.

Peer Mediation in Refugee Shelters: What Constitutes Peer Mediation From the Participants' Point of View?

Peer Mediation in Refugee Shelters: What Constitutes Peer Mediation From the Participants' Point of View?

Hepatitis A outbreak in a refugee shelter in Kiel, northern Germany.

In the spring of 2023, three Ukrainian war refugees from a municipal community shelter and a volunteer caregiver at an affiliated daycare center in Kiel, Germany, were diagnosed with infectious jaundice attributable to a single hepatitis A virus (HAV) subgenotype IA strain. Similar HAV sequences have been observed in Germany and other European countries for several years. One refugee and the volunteer required hospitalization. Four children were asymptomatically infected but excreted high levels of HAV ribonucleic acid in the stool. The infections were probably acquired in Germany, but a source could not be determined. The outbreak was contained through vaccination, increased hygiene, and education. The existing HAV vaccination recommendation for refugee shelter staff and volunteers should be consistently implemented.

Fungal Exposure and Shelter Assessment in Syrian Refugee Settlements in Lebanon

Over 1 million Syrian refugees have fled war to seek asylum in Lebanon. The population has been placed in substandard conditions which could lead to adverse health effects, particularly in vulnerable subgroups, notably due to evident chronic dampness and inadequate ventilation potentially leading to indoor mold growth. To investigate whether the types and conditions of Syrian refugee shelters influence indoor mold populations, a cross-sectional indoor environmental study was performed in 4 provinces of Lebanon. Accordingly, a total of 80 refugee households and 20 host population households (baseline) were selected. Mold air sampling and moisture measurements of shelter material were performed in residential, non-residential, and non-permanent shelters. Results revealed that although non-residential shelters had the highest mean total indoor count (1112 CFU/m3), Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Penicillium spp. were strongly associated with non-permanent shelters (p < 0.001). Additionally, occupancy was found to be strongly associated with Cladosporium (p < 0.05), Ulocladium (p < 0.05), and Stachybotrys spp. (p < 0.001). As for shelter conditions, the highest total indoor count (1243 CFU/m3) was reported in unfinished structures. These findings suggest that shelter category, condition and occupancy significantly influence indoor mold concentrations, increasing respiratory health risks for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Selecting the Best 3D Concrete Printing Technology for Refugee Camp’s Shelter Construction Using Analytical Hierarchy Process: The Case of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Upgrading the Syrian refugee shelter design serves humanitarian needs, especially since the currently used T-shelters have a life span of 2–4 years, and there are no clear signs of an imminent return of Syrian refugees to their country, even after the end of the civil war. The use of 3D concrete printing can provide a promising method to construct new durable shelters with a long life span and provide better protection against extreme change in the desert climate, privacy, and cultural constraints. This research aims to use multi-criteria decision methods—in particular, the Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP) method—to select the best 3D concrete printing to construct these shelters. The proposed model takes the following into consideration: the machine’s technical characteristics, building structure characteristics, and economic and environmental aspects. The three basic developed technologies—contour crafting, D-shape, and concrete printing—were used as alternatives in the model. The results show that contour crafting is the best technology for this application, and the inconsistency test and sensitivity analysis indicate an effective and reasonable technology ranking.

Seropositivity and flight-associated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among asylum seekers arriving in Berlin, Germany - a cross-sectional study.

Refugees and asylum seekers might be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to precarious living conditions during flight. Between March 24th and June 15th 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among adult asylum seekers arriving in Berlin. Each participant was tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with a nasopharyngeal swab using reverse transcriptase PCR (rt-PCR), and for anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1 IgG antibodies using ELISA. Seropositivity, antibody avidity, and data on flight history were used to categorize individuals into two groups according to the estimated time of infection before or during flight. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 related symptoms, hygiene behaviors, and living conditions during transit were assessed using two self-report questionnaires. Among 1041 participants (34·5% female, mean age 32·6 years), most frequently reported countries of origin were Moldova (20·5%), Georgia (18·9%), Syria (13·0%), Afghanistan (11·3%), and Vietnam (9·1%). Seropositivity rate was 25·1% and incidence rate of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2·8%. A higher likelihood for seropositivity was observed in women (OR [95%CI]=1·64 [1·05-2·57]) but reduced by frequent hygiene behaviors (OR [95%CI]=0·75 [0·59-0·96]) or traveling by plane (OR [95%CI]=0·58 [0·35-0·96]). Other associated factors were lower educational level, accommodation in refugee shelters, traveling with children or by foot, and COVID-19 information seeking. Flight-associated risk factors such as accommodation in a refugee shelter and poor hygiene behaviors are associated with an elevated risk of infection, which should be addressed by public health interventions. [https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17401860], identifier [17401860].

Energy efficient shelter for displaced persons: towards sustainable camps

AbstractThe presented research addresses shortcomings in refugee camps in Jordan where humanitarian needs cannot be fully met. It provides an overview of significance of sustainability in shelter design and aims to rethink the future design process by giving more consideration to site factors of the camp area. It also describes the use of simulation programmes to create a well‐designed shelter module. The study focuses on the construction of energy‐efficient shelters for displaced persons in the region, with an emphasis on improving the indoor climate and reducing energy consumption. To answer the research question, hybrid data systems were used for two purposes: first, to identify the design factors associated with refugee shelter design, and second, to categorise these factors and incorporate them into the simulation to get the ideal module design. The simulation software SIM VICUS was used. As a result, basalt is proposed to be used for the design of new refugee shelters in Jordan. The basalt fibre panel as a construction material gives very good results for achieving sufficient indoor thermal comfort for the shelters. With the proposed design, the maximum indoor temperature in the hot season can be limited to 29.2 °C, with a difference of 10.8 K. In the cold season, the indoor temperature was low. In the cold season, the lowest indoor temperatures were 11.4 °C with a difference of 12.7 K.

Accommodation for profit, not for refugees: Racial capitalism and the logics of Berlin’s refugee accommodation market

In response to the difficulties refugees face in finding housing, Berlin’s government has developed new housing-like shelters that offer longer-term accommodation. Drawing on literature concerning racial capitalism and urban migration governance, I explain how these shelters represent a multilayered business opportunity for revenue extraction, resulting in the ongoing displacement, spatial fixing, and continued racialization of refugees. Notably, I reveal the prominent roles of Berlin’s government, city-owned housing, and public real estate agencies. They use the construction of new refugee shelters in an entrepreneurial way in order to revitalize their own fiscal budgets, as well as to put urban land into production. This allows them to develop and then turn refugee shelters into substandard, racialized, and highly profitable forms of new urban housing for refugees and other racialized and low-income populations. Expounding the ways the building of accommodation as substandard urban housing leads to race-based pursuit of profit, I argue that refugee housing serves as an urban migration fix and is developed within the logic of racial capitalism. This article contributes to attempts to use racial capitalism as a framework to scrutinize urban and migration processes, helping us comprehend the distinctly racial logics of urban and migration governance, and housing precarity.

The Impact Of Climate Change On The Increase Of Flood And Landslide Disaster In Kuningan Regency, West Java Province

Kuningan Regency, which is one of the areas that prone to landslides and floods. Based on its geological and geographical conditions, Kuningan Regency is located on the slopes of Mount Ciremai so that this area has a high level of vulnerability to landslides and floods. This study aims to identify climate change with rainfall indicators that have an impact on increasing the incidence of floods and landslides in Kuningan Regency as well as disaster risk reduction efforts by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (RDMA) and the local community. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, supported by data obtained from observations, interviews and literature studies. The results showed that climate change with high rainfall indicators had an effect on an increase in landslides and floods that occurred in Kuningan Regency. Disaster risk reduction efforts from the Kuningan Regency BPBD in tackling the risks of floods and landslides, namely by taking preventive action. RDMA Kuningan Regency has built public facilities such as shelter for refugees, signs for evacuation routes, early warning system, as well as strengthening disaster risk reduction forums in Kuningan District. The efforts that can be made by the community are by carrying out repairs, cleaning waterways, building cliff retaining walls and closing soil cracks