The document discusses the environmental degradation and human inequity issues within the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. It notes that while literature exists on refugee camp planning, camps continue to threaten the environment and concentrate human inequity. The document examines the case study of Dadaab and analyzes the environmental and social consequences of the current camp plans. Specifically, it finds that poor physical planning strains the environment, which then demands more from aid agencies. The distribution of demands and resources is critical. The document concludes that creative solutions are needed for refugee settlement planning, such as engaging camps as community development projects rather than political issues.

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

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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

5. Case Study: Dadaab

6. Dadaab Kenya Somalia

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

16. Dominant Structures Historical Political Social Physical Theoretical Camp Planning

17. 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

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

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

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

21. 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?

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

23. Environmental Impact

29. 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

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

31. 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

32. Access to Goods and Services

33. Access to Goods and Services Firewood

34. Access to Goods and Services Firewood Rations

35. Access to Goods and Services Firewood Rations UN services

36. Access to Goods and Services Firewood Rations UN services Medical

37. Access to Goods and Services Firewood Rations UN services medical 20 Minutes

38. Access to Goods and Services Firewood Rations UN services Medical Protected Block 20 Minutes

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

40. Fire Wood Distribution Center

41. 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

42. 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

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

46. 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

47. 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.

48. 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

49. 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.

50. 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

51. Thank you for your attention!