Backstopping for Exploration of Transitional Shelter Implementation in Gaza
Location
Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestian Territories
project period
May 2024 – December 2024
client
HEKS/EPER (Program funding by Swiss Solidarity and Swiss Development Cooperation)
Services provided
Consultancy
Partner organisation
MA’AM
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to severe humanitarian consequences, including large-scale displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure and shortage of construction materials. In response, SKAT partnered with HEKS/EPER to provide technical assistance focused on the emergency reuse and repurposing of locally available materials. The project aimed to improve the safety, resilience, and functionality of makeshift shelters within the constraints of the local context. The project developed a practical manual that complements existing practices with actionable guidance for integrating reclaimed materials into emergency shelter construction.
The current technologies for energy efficient building material production in the Great Lakes Region are economically not viable for mass scale dissemination. During Phase I of the project successful technologies and production methods from Africa, Asia or Latin America have been transferred to the Region. During Phase II, the economic and social performance of the set of solutions, will be monitored optimised and validated in detail under real life conditions. The private sector will be supported in the establishing of competitive local brick making clusters with complete value chains and a performance based incentive system for certified producers of Modern Bricks. At the same time, authorities and private brick makers are supported in accessing most relevant data, literature and expertise. Through industry facilitation services local authority officers will be capacitated to implement new policies in a most effective manner.