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| World Refugee Day: housing refugees in durable homes, not tents | World Refugee Day: housing refugees in durable homes, not tents |
| (4 months later) | |
| The current crisis in Syria has once again brought to the attention of the world the plight of refugees. Amid political upheaval in the Syrian state, people have been uprooted from their homes and are now either in, or awaiting placement in, refugee camps across the region. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated crisis, but one which is mirrored across the globe on a daily basis. | The current crisis in Syria has once again brought to the attention of the world the plight of refugees. Amid political upheaval in the Syrian state, people have been uprooted from their homes and are now either in, or awaiting placement in, refugee camps across the region. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated crisis, but one which is mirrored across the globe on a daily basis. |
| The refugee story does not stop once individuals and families have fled their homes. In fact, the average refugee spends 12 years in camps and often has to endure crowded, unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe surroundings on a daily basis. | The refugee story does not stop once individuals and families have fled their homes. In fact, the average refugee spends 12 years in camps and often has to endure crowded, unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe surroundings on a daily basis. |
| There have been many important innovations over the years to help refugees, especially in the area of logistics. However, the way we house families hasn't changed as dramatically as it perhaps should have. | There have been many important innovations over the years to help refugees, especially in the area of logistics. However, the way we house families hasn't changed as dramatically as it perhaps should have. |
| With this in mind, the Ikea foundation, along with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Refugee Housing Unit have come together to develop a new refugee shelter which they hope will go a long way in improving the living standards and experiences of some of the world's most vulnerable people. With the foundation's belief that every child should have a safe place to call home, this partnership has recently launched a series of prototype shelters in Dollo Ado in Ethiopia. | With this in mind, the Ikea foundation, along with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Refugee Housing Unit have come together to develop a new refugee shelter which they hope will go a long way in improving the living standards and experiences of some of the world's most vulnerable people. With the foundation's belief that every child should have a safe place to call home, this partnership has recently launched a series of prototype shelters in Dollo Ado in Ethiopia. |
| These prototype shelters, the product of three years intensive development, give a longer-lasting and better quality alternative to currently-used refugee tents, which have a life span of only six months – and offer minimal comfort for families. The new shelters offer durability, dignity and increased comfort and security to the families that occupy them. In addition, the shelters are also modular, incorporate renewable technologies to provide a constant energy source and are equipped with robust ventilation. | These prototype shelters, the product of three years intensive development, give a longer-lasting and better quality alternative to currently-used refugee tents, which have a life span of only six months – and offer minimal comfort for families. The new shelters offer durability, dignity and increased comfort and security to the families that occupy them. In addition, the shelters are also modular, incorporate renewable technologies to provide a constant energy source and are equipped with robust ventilation. |
| The delivery of these shelter prototypes has been the result of an innovative partnership between multiple organisations in the private and public sector. | The delivery of these shelter prototypes has been the result of an innovative partnership between multiple organisations in the private and public sector. |
| RHU set about looking for expertise and funding for a new emergency shelter which they thought would improve the lives of displaced people, and were introduced to the Ikea foundation after discussions with a former Ikea design manager. The foundation was also approached by the UNHCR regarding another possible partnership. Recognising that the expertise of these two organisations perfectly complements each other, the foundation orchestrated a partnership between all three parties. | RHU set about looking for expertise and funding for a new emergency shelter which they thought would improve the lives of displaced people, and were introduced to the Ikea foundation after discussions with a former Ikea design manager. The foundation was also approached by the UNHCR regarding another possible partnership. Recognising that the expertise of these two organisations perfectly complements each other, the foundation orchestrated a partnership between all three parties. |
| This model lends itself to replication by other foundations or private partners, if all parties share a vision. There is a role to play by a 'risk-willing' foundation to fund innovation aimed at improving social impact in areas that are seen as too high risk for a normal commercial enterprise. When a solution is developed and properly tested, commercialisation can take place securing adequate supply. | This model lends itself to replication by other foundations or private partners, if all parties share a vision. There is a role to play by a 'risk-willing' foundation to fund innovation aimed at improving social impact in areas that are seen as too high risk for a normal commercial enterprise. When a solution is developed and properly tested, commercialisation can take place securing adequate supply. |
| The alliance between UNHCR, RHU and Ikea foundation has shown that such partnership models can be successful on a number of levels. | The alliance between UNHCR, RHU and Ikea foundation has shown that such partnership models can be successful on a number of levels. |
| First, each organisation brings specialist skills to the table in order to solve a challenging humanitarian problem. One example of this can be seen in the RHU's design expertise, the Ikea insight into world-wide logistics and flat pack innovation and the UNHCR's knowledge of the daily situation for refugees. | First, each organisation brings specialist skills to the table in order to solve a challenging humanitarian problem. One example of this can be seen in the RHU's design expertise, the Ikea insight into world-wide logistics and flat pack innovation and the UNHCR's knowledge of the daily situation for refugees. |
| In addition, the approach also means that issues can be tackled from a number of different vantage points, with decisions being based on extensive experience. For example, the UNHCR's delivery of aid to refugees on a huge scale means it can give insight into the number of shelters potentially needed world-wide and advise on the long term economies of scale, should the prototypes go into full production at a later date. Equally, the developers at the RHU, together with their partners, have been able to advise on design and the different materials used for the shelters, in an attempt to achieve better quality, minimal weight, smart packaging – while keeping production costs low. | In addition, the approach also means that issues can be tackled from a number of different vantage points, with decisions being based on extensive experience. For example, the UNHCR's delivery of aid to refugees on a huge scale means it can give insight into the number of shelters potentially needed world-wide and advise on the long term economies of scale, should the prototypes go into full production at a later date. Equally, the developers at the RHU, together with their partners, have been able to advise on design and the different materials used for the shelters, in an attempt to achieve better quality, minimal weight, smart packaging – while keeping production costs low. |
| Finally, this partnership has enabled the Ikea foundation's significant investment into the project to be focused effectively. Investment without the required knowledge and insight to channel it correctly, can lead to a project that is unfocussed and one which can represent a wasted opportunity to help some of the world's poorest people. With the support of the UNHCR and RHU, the foundation has been able to hear from the refugees themselves about what they want from a home. In fact, in the next few months, the feedback of those refugees currently living in the prototype shelters will also be used to improve them even further. After all, what is the point of investing in a project which doesn't fully meet the needs of the people it is trying to help in the first place? | Finally, this partnership has enabled the Ikea foundation's significant investment into the project to be focused effectively. Investment without the required knowledge and insight to channel it correctly, can lead to a project that is unfocussed and one which can represent a wasted opportunity to help some of the world's poorest people. With the support of the UNHCR and RHU, the foundation has been able to hear from the refugees themselves about what they want from a home. In fact, in the next few months, the feedback of those refugees currently living in the prototype shelters will also be used to improve them even further. After all, what is the point of investing in a project which doesn't fully meet the needs of the people it is trying to help in the first place? |
| Of course, every partnership has its challenges and teething problems. Notably the cultural ways of working in three very different sized, funded and federated organisations are – inevitably – not always the same. But with a clear vision based on an agreement of purpose and needs, such problems can be overcome. With this shared vision of creating a safe place for refugees to call home, the partnership hopes to see the prototype shelters go into production and become available to refugees and other displaced people world-wide. | Of course, every partnership has its challenges and teething problems. Notably the cultural ways of working in three very different sized, funded and federated organisations are – inevitably – not always the same. But with a clear vision based on an agreement of purpose and needs, such problems can be overcome. With this shared vision of creating a safe place for refugees to call home, the partnership hopes to see the prototype shelters go into production and become available to refugees and other displaced people world-wide. |
| Per Heggenes is the CEO of the Ikea foundation | Per Heggenes is the CEO of the Ikea foundation |
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