Justice, Equity, And Sustainability

Justice, Equity, and Sustainability
Environmental Degradation and Human Inequity within Dadaab Refugee Camps
Mitchell Sipus 2008

Problem
Although a great deal of literature exists for the planning of refugee camps, such camps continue to pose a threat to the natural environment and are concentrations of human inequity.

Problem
If such camps will continue to exist, how can they be better planned to offset the negative environmental impact and support the empowerment of the refugee community?

Camp Planning Literature
Transitional Settlement / Displaced Persons , Oxfam and University of Cambridge 2005
UNHCR Handbook on Emergency Settlements , 2004
SPHERE – Human Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response 2004
Temporary Human Settlement Planning for Displaced Populations in Emergencies , Overseas Development Institute 1998
Studies on Emergency and Disaster Relief: Shelter Provision and Settlement Policies for Refugees , Nordika Afrikaininstitutet 1995

Case Study: Dadaab

Dadaab Kenya Somalia

K E N Y A S O M A L I A Dadaab

Dominant Structures
Historical
Political
Social
Physical
Theoretical
Camp Planning

Dominant Structures
Historical
European Refugees
War Camps
Political
Cold War Developments in Refugee Policy
Multi-Lateral Agency Goals
Host Country Goals
Source of Conflict or purpose for migration

Dominant Structures
Social
Relations between refugees and host population
Relations between refugee groups
Interaction of native practices and new context

Dominant Structures
Physical
Characteristics and demands of settlement location
Characteristics of available infrastructure

Dominant Structures
Theoretical
Consideration of Camp as Heterotopia
Inside / Outside implications of Heterotopia
Panopticon
barren landscape

Observed consequences of present camp plan
Environmental Deterioration
Aid Assistance vs. Aid Dependence
Poor distribution of goods and services
Breaking down of traditions, social institutions, needless increase of poverty
Segregation
Security vs. Threat?

Observed consequences of present camp plan
Reinforcements of existing power structures
Lack of focus on development
Presents complications to data collection

Environmental Impact

Social Consequences of Environmental Impact
Violence
Sexual Abuse
Difficult to raise animals
Incurs greater expense on refugees
Deteriorates opportunities for agriculture
Forces stronger security protocol by UNHCR, creating greater friction between agencies and refugees

…
Poor physical planning strains the environment and a strained environment demands that additional demands be met by agencies
Distribution of these demands is critical

Landscape and Planning
Planning Processes to offset Environmental Impact
Ration Distribution Center
Firewood Distribution Center
Local UNHCR and Medical Facilities for Assistance
Site Planning and Green Belt for new settlements
Delivery of Soil for house construction at IFO2

Access to Goods and Services

Firewood

Firewood
Rations

Firewood
Rations
UN services

Firewood
Rations
UN services
Medical

Firewood
Rations
UN services
medical
20 Minutes

Firewood
Rations
UN services
Medical
Protected Block 20 Minutes

Physical demands of food ration distribution Population located farthest from distribution center

Fire Wood Distribution Center

Consequences of Present Plan
Benefit - Agencies incur least expense and difficulty for deliverance of aid
Loss - Increased tension and miscommunication between agencies and refugees
Loss - Sense of hopelessness for refugees furthering dependence on agencies
Loss - Those in the most need are the least served through the physical distribution of infrastructure and services causing additional costs by institution over time

Consequences of Present Plan
Loss - Reinforced power structure also reinforces instability and insecurity within camps
Loss - Agencies must continually apply more severe security measures placing further restraints upon an already displaced, and impoverished population, relegating the refugee to the status of a prisoner.
Cause….effect…cause…effect…
Example: Tree removal – conflict, segregation, agricultural impact, and security measures

Given the protocol of existing power structures, the greatest threat to the refugee population is the Police

Given the existing frameworks which determine refugee camp planning, a more sensitive approach to the local environment and existing social capital will reduce costs and need for security/protection measures for agencies as scarce resources will be more equitably distributed.
Conclusion

Implications and Opportunities
Solutions which redistribute the balance of power within existing structures are unlikely to ever be implemented
Thus there is a demand for creative solutions for Planning of refugee settlements
One strategy is to engage refugee camps as projects of community development, not as political fiascos.

Environment
Site Planning should conform to landscape, not fight against it
As the site locations of services are of crucial significance, it is imperative that planners consider access for all populations
Look toward alternative conceptions of infrastructure

Environment and Community
Need for a Development oriented approach to planning
as opposed to Long Term Planning
Infrastructure can move beyond basic necessities: high technology, communications, money transfers, modern finance and judicial systems should be considered relevant options to refugee populations
Perhaps approach development as the removal of “bottlenecks” to development, vs. installation of expensive infrastructure and services, thus considering social overhead as a starting point and not a later consideration – after all, ‘building capacity’ is generally of greater interest to consultants and agencies than the actual populations.

Community
Need for new methods for determining existing or overhead social capital
Instead of attempting to build capacity, search for viable channels to exercise existing capacity
Demand for clearly defined methods for incorporation of refugee participation within decision making processes

Thank you for your attention!

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Justice, Equity, And Sustainability

by Mitchell Sipus

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