By 2025, over 91 million people will urgently require safe shelter. This situation highlights a growing crisis in addressing the basic needs of displaced individuals. The surge in demand for shelter highlights the growing scale of global emergencies. It also emphasizes the ongoing struggles faced by millions displaced by conflict and natural disasters. This has been revealed in the latest report by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
The NRC’s overview shows a sharp increase in the global need for shelter. Projections show that by 2025, over 91 million people will need urgent housing solutions. This marks a significant rise from 37.5 million people in 2019. The crisis has more than doubled the number of individuals needing shelter. This reflects the growing severity of global conflicts, climate change impacts, and other humanitarian disasters.
SHELTER: MORE THAN JUST A ROOF
Shelter is not merely a physical structure. It offers vital protection from the elements. It provides a sense of privacy. Most importantly, it creates a safe space for individuals to recover from the trauma of losing their homes. “Shelter can provide increased safety from violence and diseases,” said Amelia Rule, NRC’s global lead for shelter and settlement. “It also provides displaced people with dignity and a safe place to restabilize their lives.” As a foundation for recovery, shelter enables individuals and families to rebuild their lives after traumatic displacement.
EMERGENCY SHELTER IN CRISIS ZONES: MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS
In regions like Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Lebanon, the NRC’s shelter and settlement teams are working tirelessly. They offer emergency solutions. These include family-sized tents, kits containing essential materials for sealing damaged buildings, tarpaulins, and tools to repair shelters. These immediate solutions aim to protect vulnerable populations from the harsh realities of displacement and the onset of winter.
Nevertheless, the scale of the crisis requires more than just temporary solutions. “There is an urgent need to increase support for emergency shelter. People need to be protected from the elements before winter sets in,” Rule emphasized. Furthermore, to meeting urgent needs, long-term, sustainable housing solutions are essential for displaced individuals to begin rebuilding their lives.
THE STRUGGLES OF DISPLACED POPULATIONS: SUDAN AND GAZA
In Sudan, the conflict has forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes, leaving millions without shelter. The ongoing violence and destruction of infrastructure have left many living in overcrowded conditions. They reside in makeshift shelters. There are no long-term housing solutions in sight. Similarly, in Gaza, 1.4 million people need support. They are struggling to survive after severe conflict and infrastructure collapse.
THE FUNDING GAP: A CRITICAL CHALLENGE
Despite the doubling of shelter needs, funding for emergency solutions has not kept up. As of early 2024, the is only 27% funded, leaving a significant shortfall in addressing the growing crisis. NRC and other humanitarian organizations continue to mobilize resources. Still, the gap between the funds required and what is available remains a critical challenge. Without increased support from the international community, millions of displaced individuals will continue to suffer without adequate shelter. This situation will prolong their displacement and vulnerability.
