Training on Shelter and Settlements in Humanitarian Response
Build safe and dignified shelter solutions. This intermediate course covers emergency, transitional, and permanent shelter options.
Next intake
20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru
Duration
5 days
Live instruction
Delivery
Physical + Virtual
Cohort based
Level
Intermediate
Working professionals
Certification
NITA reimbursable
For Kenyan cohorts
Language
English
All materials
About this programme
This intermediate course provides specialized training on shelter and settlements programming in humanitarian contexts. Participants will learn to assess shelter needs, design appropriate shelter solutions, and implement programs that provide safe, dignified, and habitable living environments for disaster-affected and displaced populations.
Who Should Attend:
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Shelter and Settlements Program Managers
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Humanitarian Architects and Engineers
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Emergency Response Coordinators
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Camp Management and CCCM Staff
What you'll walk away with
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Assess shelter and settlement needs in different displacement contexts.
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Select appropriate shelter solutions based on context, resources, and standards.
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Implement shelter programs including materials procurement, distribution, and construction.
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Ensure shelter safety, habitability, and compliance with Sphere standards.
What we cover, module by module
Module 1: Shelter in Humanitarian Contexts
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The right to adequate housing and shelter in disasters.
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Types of shelter response: emergency, transitional, permanent repair, and new construction.
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Key stakeholders: shelter cluster, UNHCR, IFRC, and NGOs.
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Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Analyze shelter responses to two different disasters (e.g., earthquake vs. flood) and compare the appropriateness of solutions.
Module 2: Shelter Needs Assessment and Site Planning
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Rapid shelter assessment tools and methodologies.
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Site selection criteria: safety, access, services, and land tenure.
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Settlement planning: spacing, drainage, communal facilities, and circulation.
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Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Conduct a rapid shelter assessment for a sample displacement site, identifying shelter damage levels, tenure issues, and immediate needs.
Module 3: Shelter Design and Appropriate Solutions
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Emergency shelter options: tents, tarpaulins, and shelter kits.
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Transitional shelters: core shelters, incremental housing, and owner-driven reconstruction.
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Local materials, cultural appropriateness, and climate considerations.
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Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Design a transitional shelter solution for a cold climate displacement setting, specifying materials, dimensions, and construction techniques.
Module 4: Shelter Program Implementation
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Procurement strategies: bulk procurement, cash/vouchers, and local purchase.
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Distribution models: direct distribution, contractor-led, and owner-driven.
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Quality control, monitoring, and post-distribution verification.
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Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Develop an implementation plan for a shelter kit distribution to 2,000 households, including procurement, logistics, distribution points, and post-distribution monitoring.
Module 5: Shelter Standards, Safety, and Sustainability
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Sphere standards for shelter and settlements: covered floor area, safety, and durability.
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Disaster-resilient construction: wind, flood, and earthquake resistance.
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Environmental sustainability in shelter programs.
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Case Study/Hands-on Exercise: Conduct a shelter quality audit for a sample settlement, checking compliance with Sphere standards and recommending corrective actions.
Where the change lands
Organizational Impacts:
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Improved quality and appropriateness of shelter interventions.
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Enhanced safety and dignity for affected populations.
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Efficient use of resources through appropriate shelter solutions.
Individual Impacts:
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Mastery of shelter assessment methodologies and standards.
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Expertise in shelter types: transitional, emergency, and permanent repair.
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Skills to manage shelter programs including procurement, distribution, and quality control.
Dates and locations
Upcoming intakes
Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.
| City | Starts | Ends | Delivery | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NakuruNext | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kigali | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Accra | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kisumu | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Johannesburg | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Dakar | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
- NakuruNext
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kigali
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Accra
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kisumu
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Johannesburg
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Dakar
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake
Common questions.
Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.
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Hybrid10 daysProtect children in emergencies, displacement, and armed conflict. This course covers CPMS, child-friendly spaces, and reintegration.
Course finder
Find the right course for you
Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.
For corporate teams
Training 10+ professionals?
We deliver Training on Shelter and Settlements in Humanitarian Response in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.