Report

Security of Tenure in Humanitarian Shelter Operations

NRC|Published 15. Feb 2014
Humanitarian access Protection Shelter and settlements
This paper argues that restrictive notions of security of tenure, otherwise known as the basis on which recipients of humanitarian shelter assistance occupy their homes, can in fact lead to discrimination against the most vulnerable.

Three challenges of providing humanitarian shelter assistance are examined: legal pluralism and customary rights; urban contexts, and disadvantaged groups. The conclusion offers questions provoking further discussion towards an operational definition of ‘security of tenure’ to be adopted by the humanitarian community.

This report was produced by the Norwegian Refugee Council and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, with support from the UK Department for International development (DFID).