Disasters come without announcements and they can construct plenty of issues for the disaster refugees. A refugee can be someone who has travelled from one to another country, reasons vary from one to another, some due to climate change, natural disaster, religion, race, etc
Why do we need Sustainable shelter?
Recently groundbreaking innovations were made by experts at the University of Birmingham from the school of engineering collaborating with a company called Suscons. The collaboration brings a new variety of emergency relief shelters (ERS), the innovation was approved by UNHCR, it follows all the principles and standards given by the same.
The United Nations High Commission for refugees made sure, there should be a standard to follow while making sure the quality of shelters. There essay writing service leeds are set principles that should be followed.
1. Shelters should be well-equipped with privacy, emotional security, and room to live and keep their belongings.
2. Some things should be provided like a blanket, mats, bedsheets, etc.
3. Should be relevant to their culture and society
4. Weather-appropriate
5. Empower refugees to build their own and provide them with supplies.
The ERS can be set up by inexperienced people too, this can be a temporary place to stay as well as a minimum of 10 years, people can stay in them. The incredible thing about ERS is that it can be utilized as a medical unit. This also has windows and entrances with a locking system to make sure people feel secure here. The Extraordinary thing about these shelters is that they are sustainable and obey the rule of reuse, and recycling as shelters are made of plastic waste.
Every canopy used around 460kg of plastic waste. It is more expensive than a normal tent although the sustainability, and durability it offers are unmatched. In the future, essay writing service leeds more disaster agencies should invest in such innovation for a better environment. The director of engineering and sustainability at the University of Birmingham showcases the new shelter at Dubai’s humanitarian conference and gets positive feedback from UNHCR.
He added that this shelter can be used for a long period it has a kitchen and can fulfil essential needs. It does not require a qualified person to set it up. UNHCR tents are able to sustain for only 18 months but we all are mindful that it’s not going to be enough as most refugees stay more time in these shelters.
Most UNHCR tents are made of simple plastic sheets or textiles. Additionally, some problems remain such as a deficit of tents, difficulty with storage as it costs a lot, fragile and not good in long term, does not provide security, and is not comfortable.
To conclude, This innovation of ERS can solve the long-running problem of refugees, disasters are frequent and refugee situations are getting worse everywhere. Pathetic situations and not proper sanitation or security for such people are against their human rights. Innovation can solve the problem as well as bring the needed peace in tough times to refugees. It’s eco-friendly too.
Reference
University of Birmingham. (2023b, March 16). Recycled shelter provides eco-friendly refuge for those fleeing disaster zones. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/recycled-shelter-provides-eco-friendly-refuge-for-those-fleeing-disaster-zones
Leave a Reply