Historia del estudio de la emoción

Displacement requires populations to live in unfamiliar circum- stances where they may find it hard to maintain social structures and coping strategies. The traditional cultural roles of women, men, the young, and the elderly may be challenged and may have to be adjusted. For example, women might have been responsible for preparing food and carrying water in the original settlement. In a camp, these activities might be more difficult and might require the involvement of men. Such changes in circumstances and shifts in traditional roles often create social problems and barriers to community development.

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table 2(a): lessons learned from UNHCR experience of programming for shelter

Changed physical or social circumstances in grouped settlements can also leave certain groups vulnerable to GBV or exploitation. For instance, single men, if not integrated in wider family groups, may harass unaccompanied women. The risk is increased if women have to travel long distances to collect firewood or water because natural resources have been consumed (2.5.4).

When planning and implementing TS strategies, programmes, and projects, it is important to take into account the existing (and possible future) gender-related and age-related roles within a displaced population. For instance, there is little point in supporting primary education if the children are needed by families to collect water from a remote source.

planning to avoid GBV risks

People-Orientated Planning (POP), discussed in section 4.5.5, offers a useful assessment tool. ‘People-Oriented Planning at Work:Using POP to Improve UNHCR Programming’ (Anderson 1994) offers useful advice on how to take account of gender roles in the planning of grouped settlements, such as refugee camps:

The layout of shelter in a refugee camp can either provide suitable protection or exacerbate the likelihood of unsafe conditions. In partic- ular, people vulnerable to sexual attack (both women and young children) must have access to well-lighted, nearby toilet facilities as this is one area that has often proved dangerous for unaccompanied users. In addition, placement of vulnerable people in outlying camp sections increases their risk of physical sexual assault. [...]

If tradition dictates that women should be secluded within household compounds, housing styles and latrine locations must be designed to respect these traditions. In addition, the locations of wells and food or other service distribution points must take account of women’s mobility, if women are to be ensured access to them.

Shelter arrangements for women without husbands in situations where women are usually secluded must also take into account the tradition of seclusion. Two possible approaches include:

• providing shelter that ‘pairs’ women who do not have men with

families where men are present

• building and reserving special areas for groups of single women

and their dependents.

Anderson (1994)

problems possible solutions

Materials provided to refugee families to build their own houses cannot be used by families where the person who builds is absent (sometimes men, sometimes women).

Identify the families who do not have anyone who can build their house; provide extra assistance.

Provision of resources and services is linked to the completion of self- build homes; if families (usually female-headed households, FFHs) lack a traditional builder, they are further disadvantaged.

Unlink provision of resources from housing; provide help to families who do not have a traditional builder; if there are no cultural taboos, teach women to construct their houses.

Unaccompanied women refugees absorbed into asylum-country families have been sexually exploited by men of the host families.

A difficult problem. On-the-ground monitoring of safety is the first step. Provide ways to report abuse; and offer alternative living arrangements (possibly with asylum-country FHHs). 3

Overcrowded shelter conditions can put unaccompanied women at special risk of sexual violence.

Identify the families for whom this is an issue. Consult with refugees on appropriate traditional systems for protection. Group single women in well-guarded places and establish a refugee committee (of male and/or female elders, possibly) for oversight and enforcement of their protection. 4

Location of residences in relation to water points, food-distribution points, or latrines may involve long and sometimes dangerous trips for women and children.

Consider the location of essential services and who will be using them. Minimise danger. Provide guards. Ensure use during daylight and safe hours.

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Lighting may be inadequate in camp areas (e.g. latrines) increasing risks, especially for women.

Increase lighting. 6

2 str a te g y 2.5.3 vulnerable groups

Vulnerable groups include, but are not limited to, elderly people, unaccompanied minors (UAMs), the sick and infirm, disabled people, and those suffering from chronic diseases such as AIDS. Within a displaced population, such groups have special settlement requirements which may require that standard plans have to be adapted. For example, UAMs may be in need of special accom- modation which is different from the type of housing provided for a family. It is also particularly important that site planning should take into account and support the internal social support given to vulnerable groups by their own communities.

Vulnerable groups must be offered equal access to community services and other resources available to non-vulnerable people. In addition, they should be given enhanced access to resources of which they are in greater need. For example, the physical assistance of building teams should be offered to assist vulnerable groups with shelter construction and maintenance.

Community services offer a mechanism with which to identify and support vulnerable groups. They also allow these groups to express their needs and priorities. Their needs should inform not only the TS response, but also the support provided by other sectors.