Training on Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Coordination

Module 1: The Shelter Cluster Architecture

• The Global Shelter Cluster and country-level clusters.

• Lead agency roles (usually UNHCR for conflict, IFRC for natural disasters, or other).

• Cluster governance: strategic advisory groups, technical working groups, and sub-national clusters.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Analyze the activation and performance of the Shelter Cluster in a recent humanitarian response, identifying successes and challenges.

Module 2: Shelter Cluster Coordination and Partner Engagement

• Cluster coordination meetings: agendas, facilitation, and action tracking.

• Partner mapping and engagement strategies.

• Roles and responsibilities: cluster coordinator, information manager, and technical advisors.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Simulate a Shelter Cluster coordination meeting, presenting partner updates, identifying gaps, and negotiating cross-partner commitments.

Module 3: Common Shelter Standards and Approaches

• Developing and agreeing on common shelter standards (e.g., Sphere, national standards).

• Common shelter approaches: emergency, transitional, repair, and reconstruction.

• Technical guidance and quality assurance mechanisms.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop a common shelter standards document for a humanitarian response, including minimum space, materials, safety, and durability criteria.

Module 4: Shelter Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis

• Coordinated shelter assessments: multi-sectoral and shelter-specific.

• Gap analysis: partner presence, funding, and technical capacity.

• Prioritizing geographic areas and population groups.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Analyze shelter assessment data and partner mapping to identify gaps and prioritize response areas.

Module 5: Shelter Information Management

• Information management tools: 3W (Who, What, Where), dashboards, and partner reporting.

• Tracking shelter coverage, progress, and outputs.

• Common operational datasets for shelter.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Create a Shelter Cluster dashboard showing partner presence, activities, coverage, and gaps.

Module 6: Integration with WASH and Site Planning

• Coordinating shelter with WASH: sanitation facilities, drainage, and water access in settlements.

• Site planning standards: spacing, circulation, and communal facilities.

• Joint shelter-WASH assessments and response planning.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop integrated shelter and WASH site planning guidance for a camp setting, including minimum standards and coordination mechanisms.

Module 7: Integration with Protection and CCCM

• Protection mainstreaming in shelter: privacy, safety, and access.

• Coordinating with CCCM on site management and community engagement.

• Addressing specific needs: women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Integrate protection considerations into a shelter cluster standard operating procedure for distribution and site planning.

Module 8: Transition and Durable Solutions in Shelter

• Transition from emergency shelter to durable solutions: return, local integration, or relocation.

• Shelter cluster role in housing, land, and property (HLP) issues.

• Coordination with development actors and government housing programs.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop a shelter transition strategy for a protracted displacement situation, including phased approaches and coordination with government.

Module 9: Shelter Resource Mobilization and Advocacy

• Identifying shelter funding gaps and advocating to donors.

• Resource mobilization through humanitarian response plans (HRP) and flash appeals.

• Advocacy for shelter priorities: land access, materials, and technical capacity.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop an advocacy note on shelter funding gaps for a humanitarian response, targeting donors and humanitarian leadership.

Module 10: Shelter Cluster Performance Monitoring and Learning

• Monitoring cluster performance: indicators, partner feedback, and after-action reviews.

• Capturing and sharing lessons learned across shelter responses.

• Continuous improvement of cluster coordination.

• Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Conduct an after-action review for a Shelter Cluster response, identifying successes, failures, and recommendations for future activations.