A range of context-specific assistance options can be combined to meet the needs of affected people. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each and develop the most appropriate program. [Adapted from Sphere 2018]
You can refer to the table below or download the PDF File to save for offline reference.
Assistance Option |
Description |
Reference Links |
| Shelter Kits | Construction material, tools and fixtures needed to create or improve living space. | CRS – IEC picture guide to securing poles and plastic sheeting for a simple A-frame shelter |
| Shelter Toolkits | Construction tools and hardware needed to create or improve living space and settlement. | IFRC – Shelter Toolkit Specifications- Extract pg. 54-68 (2009) |
| Tents | Premanufactured portable shelters with a cover and a structure.
*Note: Where there is an immediate need for basic shelter CRS would typically aim to distribute materials/construct emergency shelters. This is normally more cost effective than the distribution of tents and encourages a greater sense of ownership and self-reliance. The distribution of prefabricated tents would be seen as an exceptional option where material availability for emergency shelters/rate of influx mean emergency shelter construction isn’t feasible. |
Summary of Different Tent Options & Specifications
Summaries of Different Emergency Tent Options: Shelter Cluster, IRAQ- Tent Information Note, DRAFT v01 (2017) UN OCHA – A guide to the use and logistics of family tents in humanitarian relief (2004) |
| Return and Transit Support | Support for affected people who choose to return to their place of origin or relocate to a new location. Such support may include a wide range of services such as providing transport, transport fares or vouchers, or items such as tools, materials and seed stocks. | |
| Repairs | Describes restoring a building from damage or decay to a sound working condition, where it meets the required standards and specifications. Applies to minor damage. | CRS – Technical Guidance for repairs following typhoon Haiyan: Details build back better options and tools and templates for implementation |
| Retrofitting | Involves strengthening and/or structural system modification of the buildings’ structure. The goal is to make a building more resistant to future hazards by having safety features installed. | BuildChange – USAID |
| Host Assistance | Supporting the host to continue to shelter affected people includes support to expand or adapt an existing host family shelter, or financial and material support for running costs. | CRS – Lessons and Recommendations for a Host Family Approach in Transitional Shelter and Settlements
IFRC – Assisting host families and communities after crises and natural disaster A step-by step guide (2012) Coming Soon |
| Rental Assistance | Assistance to affected households to rent accommodation and land can include financial contributions, support to obtain a fair agreement or advice on property standards. Rent is an ongoing expense, thus plan for exit strategies. | CRS Case Study – Rental Assistance for Syrian Refugees in Jordan |
| Temporary Shelters | Intended to be removed once the next stage of shelter solution is offered. | |
| Transitional Shelters | Rapid shelters designed from materials and techniques that could transition into more permanent structures. The shelter should be upgradeable, reusable, re-saleable or moveable from temporary sites to permanent locations. | CRS – Manual de Construcción De Albergues Respuesta Humanitaria, Manabí – Esmeraldas, Ecuador (2017)
CRS – Transitional shelter design drawing – Philippines (2015)
Caritas Antilles – Transitional shelter design drawing (2017) |
| Core Housing | Housing units planned, designed and constructed to be eventually part of a permanent house but not completing it. Core housing allows the future process of extension. | |
| Reconstruction or Rebuilding | Structures that cannot be repaired or retrofitted and require to be built anew. | Architecture for Humanity, Concern & CRS – Grand Ravine Diagnostic Report and Community Development Plan Technical and Participatory Report (Draft)- Section 6 (2014) |
| Information Centers | Offer advice and guidance to affected people: technical, administrative, legal and accountability. | |
| Legal and Administrative Expertise | Helps the affected people to be aware of their rights and to receive the administrative support they need free of charge or at a reduced cost. | |
| Securing Tenure | Guarantees legal protection against forced eviction, harassment and other threats. | NRC – Shelter Tenure Guidance |
| Infrastructure and Settlement Planning | Improves the services of a community and support the planning of sustainable transitional settlement and reconstruction solutions. | Architecture for Humanity, Concern & CRS – Grand Ravine Diagnostic Report and Community Development Plan Technical and Participatory Report (Draft)- Section 6 (2014) |
| Collective Accommodation Support | Existing buildings can be used as collective centers or evacuation centers ad to provide rapid shelters. These can be schools, community buildings, religious facilities, etc. | |
| Managing Settlements and Collective Centers | Implies the management of settlements or centers to ensure dignity, safety and quality. | |
| Debris Removal and Management of the Deceased | Removal of rubble and similar waste.
For management of deceased, refer to Shelter guidance, Sector WASH. |
MSB/UNDP – Debris Management Guidelines (2010) |
| Rehabilitate and Install Common Infrastructure | Recovers public infrastructure such as water supply and sanitation facilities, bridges, electricity, etc. | |
| Rehabilitate and Construct Community Facilities | Recovers social infrastructure such as education spaces, health facilities, meeting places, economic centers such as markets, etc. | CRS Case Study – Partnership to Restore Vital Hospital Facilities in Port-Au-Prince Case Study (2010) |
| Urban or Community Planning and Zoning | Involves the conception of areas after a crisis so that regulations and general interests are respected. | Architecture for Humanity, Concern & CRS, Grand Ravine Diagnostic Report and Community Development Plan Technical and Participatory Report (Draft)- Full Report (2014) (French & English):
Coming Soon |
| Relocation | Involves rebuilding housing and assets for a family or community in a different location. |