title: Diversity and adaptation of shelters in transitional settlements for IDPs in Afghanistan.
abstract: The diversity of shelters used in transitional settlements for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Herat, Afghanistan is described. The information is based on a field survey undertaken in March 2002 and highlights the adaptation techniques, which IDPs undertake to improve any provided shelter. Potential areas for improvement are indicated; for example, the possibility for using insulated, demountable liners to prevent cold-related deaths without sacrificing shelter flexibility along with the likely need for better agency coordination of the shelter responses they provide. The wider context in which the technical recommendations would be implemented must also be considered. Such issues include agency resources, political impediments to providing the desired option, and the preference of many IDPs that the best shelter would be their home.
authors.affiliation: Shelterproject, Martin Centre, University of Cambridge, 6 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 2EB, UK. joseph@shelterproject.org
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ashmore
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Babister
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Corsellis
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kelman
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McRobie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manfield
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Battilana
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000346:Afghanistan; D006798:Housing / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D012036:Refugees; D012066:Relief Work