Water and Sanitation

The level of water security and hygiene in a refugee camp depends on two factors: the facilities provided and the population’s hygienic behavior. A sufficient hygienic situation can only be achieved by a strategy of distributing knowledge, mobilizing residents and providing residents with essential facilities and materials. Water is not only needed for nutrition but […]

Shelterproject

Transitional settlement: displaced populations gives an extensive, detailed overview of how to implement settlements for displaced populations exclusively; the guidelines don’t comply to reconstruction after conflict or disaster, return to homelands or permanent settlement on new sites. The first section of the guidelines deals with a general overview on the subject. It deals with strategic […]

Standardization for Refugee Camps

Standardizations for the basic size, lay-out, and structure of refugee camps have been defined by the Sphere Project, which was launched in 1997 by the UN and several NGOs, with the mission to improve the quality of relief aid. Results have been published in a handbook, on the organization’s website and are promoted by training […]

Kyoto Protocol

Climate changes are an incinerator for natural disasters. Global warming is induced by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by industry and transport. The Kyoto Protocol, aimed at reducing the production of greenhouse gases, also contributes to the long-term prevention of natural disasters. The UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was […]

Observing the earth

Satellite images and geographic data provide an important resource for predicting, identifying and observing natural disasters and for coordinating prevention measures and relief efforts. One class of earth observation instruments are optical detects of solar energy, reflected back from earth, into space across various wavelengths, including visible light and invisible infrared bands. Radar instruments shine microwave […]

Solar Cookers International

Solar Cookers International is an NGO promoting and implementing the use of solar cookers in suitable regions of the developing world. Their Solar Cooking Archive contains an informative overview of different principles and designs of solar cookers. Solar cookers have a wide range of ecological, economic and social benefits. By replacing firewood, they help prevent […]