Sustaining Change – Update…….Infrastructure & Camp Improvement Programme
1.0
OVERVIEW OF THE ICIP:
The Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme (ICIP) vision is to lead a Programme, evolving to full partnership with
Palestine refugees, to innovatively envision and shape a dignified, safe and healthy built environment until their rights are
fulfilled. ICIP’s mission is:
i.
Serving Palestine refugees in improving their living standards in the urban built environment within, around and outside
the camps.
ii.
Developing and implementing a comprehensive, integrated and community driven urban planning approach that
focuses on improving sub-standard physical and social infrastructure in a specific camp.
As a part of OD, UNRWA realized that the spatial and environmental conditions in which refugees live in cannot be separated
from their livelihood or wellbeing and that the isolated provision of infrastructure services and housing needs to be reinforced
with additional components of comprehensive planning, community participation and integrated development linking refugee
community to available potentials and economic opportunities in and around camps. The Agency adopted urban planning as a
tool that integrates the needs and interventions in physical, spatial, social and environmental aspects and integrates the
interventions of all UNRWA programmes, host governments, other UN agencies and civic institutions in a holistic manner. The
Agency acknowledges the financial support of the European Union and the German Government for developing and piloting the
Programme’s concept and framework through implementing projects in West Bank and Jordan.
One of the main guiding principles of the sustaining change framework is ‘people-centred approach’ which is to ensure that
refugees continue to receive the type and quality of services that they need and deserve and that programme interventions
should be based on holistic understanding of the needs of the individual, family and the community. The core heart of the
Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme (ICIP) revolves around the same concept of understanding refugee’s needs
and partnering with them for improvement.
The paper describes incremental cost along with envisaged time of implementation for the reforms (refer Annex-2) and once the
Agency formulates the strategic plan for ICIP (refer section 4.1), progress will be monitored on the basis of result and key
performance indicators. Efficiency in the Programme is mainly achieved by comprehensive planning & integrated interventions
(refer 3.1, 3.2 & 4.2), enhancing technical and managerial capacity (refer 4.3) and strengthening information management
system (refer 3.5 & 4.4). The following paragraphs introduce the ICIP’s methodology, progress and achievements, challenges
and major steps to move forward.
2.0
ICIP METHODOLOGY AND CORE AREAS OF INTERVENTIONS:
ICIP has developed a unique methodology and working strategy that can successfully tackle the challenges posed by
contemporary urbanization in refugee camps and enhance the human development of their residents. The following will highlight
the ICIP’s conceptual pillars and working strategy (refer Fig. 1):
 Importance of the built environment - the programme is based on the recognition of the connection between the quality
of the built environment—from the micro/domestic to the macro/camp-wide scale—and the quality of everyday life. In this
respect, there is much emphasis on shelter conditions, the quantity and quality of public space, institutional and recreational
space, socio-economic “infrastructure” including UNRWA facilities, the quality of physical infrastructure networks, and finally
access, mobility, and circulation.
 Urban planning – ICIP uses the tools and methodologies of urban planning as the good interventionist practice that can
enable the Agency to operate holistically at an urban scale (in distinction to previous sectoral framework) and tackle the
contemporary urban complexities that mark Palestine refugee camps. Through strategic urban planning can actors, be
they staff, host governments or community members, connect and link the various components that make up the built
environment.
 Integrated interventions – the programme recognizes that the camp is an inter-connected, networked site that requires
integrated interventions at an urban scale. In this respect ICIP also seeks to deploy urban planning as an operational
platform that integrates the various outputs of UNRWA departments, interventions by the host governments and by the
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civic society and brings together their disparate outputs and activities in a way that rationalizes & connects the different
interventions in the built environments of camps.
Innovative and flexible interventions - as camps have evolved into complex urban spaces with varying degrees of
densification that comprise different social and political environment, improvements increasingly demand flexible and
tailored proposals that respond to the camps’ diverse problems and conditions. These should be prioritized and defined by
the camp residents and negotiated with the community and other stakeholders.
Community participation - camp residents have invaluable knowledge about their own local environments; although they
are spaces of hardship, camps nevertheless contain vast pools of experience, skills, assets, and innovation. In such a
scenario, comprehensive improvement is only realistic if the local community is the key agent of change. The ICIP is the
first programme in the Agency to systematically study and document a camp’s spatial character, while systematically
involving its residents in the planning of its character. It involves the local community in a structured way across the entire
project cycle, from assessment and planning right through to implementation and monitoring.
Fulfilment of human rights & protection - ICIP focuses on the mobilisation of the full potential of local community
resources and imparts skills and capacities. These range from fundraising and proposal writing to environmentally aware
building methods that actually support human development as opposed to the typical relief efforts. Furthermore, the ICIP
advocates and oversees the attainment of refugees’ rights to shape their own built environment.
Sustainability of change - it is now clear that improving the Palestine refugees’ living conditions goes undoubtedly hand in
hand with their socio-economic development. More enabled, capable refugees will be in a position to improve their living
environment along with their development. The ICIP seeks to mobilize different implementation strategies to assist refugees
in gradually building their capacities to plan and implement self-identified interventions. Examples of this process include
revolving funds, organized self-help and micro project cycles. Furthermore, ICIP addresses environmental, social and
economic sustainability that can meet not only the current demands but as well the requirements of future generations. In
this regard, ICIP has taken additional initiative to combat with the occurring climate and environmental changes in terms of
planning by introduction of green buildings, use of solar energy etc.
3.0
ICIP PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
3.1
Camp Improvement Plan; Comprehensive, Integrated, & Community Based Planning:
With an objective to understand the community needs and to plan for comprehensive and integrated development, following
participatory planning (bottom-up) approach, a Camp Improvement Plan (CIP) is prepared for a specific camp. This plan is
prepared together with the community and with the guidance and inputs from experts. In brief, the process is (refer Fig. 2):
i. Setting up the participatory platform of community representatives, UNRWA representatives, and other stakeholders who
lead the process and take decisions in cooperation with host governments.
ii. Community through various focus group discussions (such as children, youths, adults, elderly, housewives etc.) assess
their priority & desired needs (Long Needs List) for the community and the camp.
iii. With integrated diagnosis, the community finalizes the ‘Camp Priority List”.
iv. With further analysis, the needs are transformed into Camp Improvement Plan (CIP) consisting of ‘Urban Improvement
Plan’ and ‘Community Development Plan’.
v. The plans are then shaped into ‘Action Plan’ which outlines a series of specific and interconnected projects developed in
partnership with community to be implemented ideally within a two-three year project cycle or as per funding availability.
vi. Later, the funds are raised for the developed ‘project proposals’ and finally the projects are incrementally implemented
and monitored in partnership with the community and relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
In last couple of years, due to limited resources and funds, only in eight camps (Fawwar, Dheisheh & Arroub in West Bank;
Talbieh & Huson in Jordan; Neriab in Syria and Rashidieh & Naher-el-Bared in Lebanon) the participatory planning (CIP
process) either implemented or in progress.
Camp Improvement Plans (CIPs) prepared in different camps have generated new innovative projects (that were not addressed
earlier in the Agency) and implemented such as upgrading of public spaces; developing community plaza; infrastructure
upgrading (water network, sewerage lines, drainage etc.) of blocks in a camp; developing open recreational spaces; greening
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the camp (green pockets); improving urban economic space and circulation; strengthening youth centre; construction of minisports stadium etc. Along with these, ICIP continued implementation of traditional projects such as strengthening a Women
Programme Centre (WPC); improving girls and boys schools; improvement and construction of health clinic; etc.
It is not always necessary to wait for funding to implement large projects only. Our experiences shows that “even few and small
interventions or quick wins that meet community needs” bring immense positive changes in the camp as well as to the attitude
of the refugee community.
3.2
Integrated Interventions Leading to Human Development:
ICIP through its activities and interventions contributes to the four strategic MTS development goals of the Agency, namely ‘a
long and healthy life’, ‘acquired appropriate knowledge and skills’, ‘a decent standard of living’ and ‘human rights enjoyed to the
fullest extent’. This is achieved by addressing and offering services to refugees in a planned and integrated manner for shelters,
environmental infrastructure, urban spaces, housing and re-housing and UNRWA facilities in the camp. To ensure sustainability
and optimum utilisation of resources, ICIP integrates these interventions and activities with other Programmes and the
Agency’s cross cutting issues such as disability, gender, protection, youth and environment. For example:
 In West Bank, through a project funded by BMZ, project team (CIP team) embarked on a strategic collaboration with
UNRWA’s Job Creation Programme (JCP) funded by USAID that enabled to expand and scale-up much of its
implementation capacity while crucially strengthening the participatory nature of implementation. As JCP supplies building
material and mobilises underemployed labour in the camp, ICIP has linked these resources with Camp Improvement Plan
(CIP) to implement the prioritised projects to improve the local living conditions in the camp. This is an ideal example of
integration of project with the Programme and maximization of output with available resources.
 In West Bank, an innovative project ‘Campus in Camps’ in partnership with Al Quds/Bard University and support from
Social & Cultural Fund, GIZ is initiated. The project is evolved in partnership with the community with a conceptual
framework revolving around the forms of representation of Palestinian refugees. The project offer young participants from
refugee camps the chance to participate in a two year programme, designed in two phases consisting of an educational
and a practice led component. In first phase, the participants will be engaged in six experimental educational platforms and
will approach subjects holistically, combing different areas of social theory, film and video studies, human rights and spatial
representation. In second phase, the participants will design a practice-led initiative to be implemented with and within the
community and define a cooperation setting with an appropriate institution.
 In Jordan, considering the higher education as one of top priorities of the community, a “Student Loan Fund” was
established. The community formulated guidelines and rules for student loan fund and finalized terms and conditions for
releasing it to students. The community appreciates this initiative and until today, 55 students have benefitted from this
fund. Again this project was implemented in collaboration with the Women Programme Centre in the camp which received
extra support to manage the project from the BMZ.
 In Jordan, communities in the camps benefited through relevant training such as project management, communication, CV
& proposal writing, marketing skills, leadership etc., which succeeded in mobilising & generating employment opportunities
for the refugee communities.
There are many other examples where ICIP does not only intervene in physical development but also thinks in an integrated
manner and contributes to the overall human development of the refugees’ community. Thus, ICIP through training and
establishing linkages facilitates community mobilisation, professional and personal development and contributes to the larger
issues of poverty alleviation and economic development.
3.3
Resource Mobilization by Community & Ready-to-Adopt Proposals
The Camp Improvement Plan (CIP) process identifies and develops a number of project proposals and due to limited funding
and other constraints not all of them are implemented by UNRWA. The CIP output provides an opportunity to the community to
mobilize resources from other donors. Our experience shows that when projects are generated along with the community and
proposals are ready, donors find it comparatively easy to support. For example, in the camps in Jordan, community raised
funds from GIZ, Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA), Princess Basma Fund etc. for projects such as e-learning, community
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based rehabilitation centre, sewing project, accessibility road etc. and discussion are going on for other projects with potential
donors for funding. Similarly, in the West Bank in different camps the community was able to build partnership and mobilize
funds for several projects namely, Shams Centre of Excellence (specialized clinic), Phoenix Garden, campus in camp project,
site and building of high school for girls, securing site for mini sports stadium, indoor sports hall etc. from Italian Government,
Palestinian National Authority (PNA), and Local Committee’s of the respective camp.
Thus, through the CIP process, ICIP has succeeded in delivering ‘unique and additional value’ to the community and to the
Agency in form of organizing and developing the local institutional and governance system in the camp and infusing confidence
and building capacity among refugees to grow, think and improve on their own.
3.4
Community Appreciation towards UNRWA & Donors
ICIP during the CIP process has been successful in establishing a strong link between the refugees, Agency and donors. The
CIP process allows the team to understand the community closely and to build strong partnership with the community. During
the process, community appreciates the concern shown towards them and generates more trust towards the Agency and
donors. The challenge, however, varied from one camp to another. For example, in one camp, the community at the beginning
didn’t allow the ICIP team to even start the CIP process. The community somehow thought that the Agency’s intention was to
settle them, which would jeopardize their right to return and that the Agency was trying to pass its responsibility of providing
services to them. However, with many briefings and discussions, the ICIP team succeeded in clarifying the misunderstanding
and transforming the ‘Mistrust to Trust’ towards the Agency. Today, this community is very supportive towards the Agency and
offered their assistance to introduce CIP process in other camps.
3.5
Evidence based decision making, Camp Profile Information System & Shelter Scoring Information System:
One of the core result areas of Sustaining Change framework to improve programme effectiveness is the need to adopt
information systems that will guide evidence based decision making across all levels of Agency. Following this, ICIP
commenced work on the establishment of web based Camp Profiles Information System (CPIS) in the Agency which documents
and consolidates comprehensive information and data about Palestinian refugee camps in the region. It includes more than 500
quantitative and qualitative indicators (i.e. analytical static maps, descriptive texts, graphs, dynamic maps using GIS, etc.). In
the camps where CIP has been formulated, the Geographical Information System (GIS) map also links it with Refugee
Registration and Information System (RRIS). In addition, ICIP has developed ‘Shelter Scoring Information System (SSIS)”, an
online system which provides a tool to assess the shelters condition in the camps. ICIP has a plan to develop similar
assessment tools for facilities and infrastructure in the near future.
These tools will be an invaluable planning tool for the Agency in decision making and ensuring that resources are utilized in the
best possible way. It will also provide a tool for donors and stakeholders to understand the needs, problems, and issues of any
specific camp.
3.6
Establishing Partnership with Academia, UN Agency, Donors and Host Governments:
In addition to partnering with the community, ICIP has initiated successfully partnerships with academic institutions such as
Leuven University, Belgium and Stuttgart University, Germany; host governments; UN Agencies such as UN-Habitat and
UNHCR; Social & Cultural Fund GIZ and donors such as BMZ, KfW and others. These partnerships have provided academic,
financial and institutional support to the Agency and the Programme.
3.7
Shelter Rehabilitation, Infrastructure & Facilities Improvement:
ICIP addressed shelter repair and reconstruction for refugee families living in structurally unsound and un-hygienic dwellings
with a specific focus on Social Safety Net (SSN)/ Special Hardship Cases (SHC) and enhanced environmental conditions by
developing, maintaining, upgrading and constructing the infrastructure (water, sewerage, solid waste, drainage, roads etc.), and
UNRWA facilities in camps and in areas of Palestinian refugees concentration. ICIP strategy is to address urgent needs and
wherever possible link them with comprehensive improvements. However, despite all these efforts, there are still thousands of
unsafe shelters, facilities and dilapidated and degraded infrastructure conditions in the camps.
4.0
FOCUS AREAS TOWARDS FORMULATING ICIP’s STRATGIES & WAY FORWARD:
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In order to achieve ICIP’s vision to provide a dignified, safe and healthy built environment along with human development of the
refugees living in 58 camps in the region, ICIP will continue its services to the refugees in the following areas:
i.
To address the worsening and deteriorated living conditions in camps through a bottom-up, integrated and
comprehensive planning approach that will produce Camp Improvement Plans (CIPs) which can be translated into
action plans for implementation.
ii.
To continue addressing the urgent needs in shelters, infrastructure and facilities.
iii.
To link the interventions, wherever possible with comprehensive vision through Camp Improvement Plans (CIPs).
Following are the major steps that are envisaged to be taken to overcome the challenges and move forward:
4.1
To formulate the Agency strategic plan for ICIP
For the strategy to be effective and efficient, it is vital to assess and understand the issues, constraints and potential of the
Programme in the fields. To understand this, earlier in 2010-11, a number of workshops supported by GIZ were conducted to
develop a strategy focus for the Programme. However, there is a need for an additional support to further refine and develop the
vision and formulate strategy. In coordination with the fields, the strategy is expected to detail out the result based management
system, monitoring system, measurable key performance indicators, resource mobilization, stronger management system etc.
4.2
To formulate Camp Improvement Plans, comprehensive, integrated & participatory planning at camp level
The Camp Improvement Plans (CIPs) are now used as a tool for improvement and attract funding to attain the set vision. To
achieve one of the core result areas of sustaining change ‘Better Quality Programme’, there is an immediate need to focus on
implementing new CIPs for the remaining 50 camps. This will require additional resources which can either be secured
separately or through introducing the comprehensive planning component as a part of large scale infrastructure project in a
camp. This approach will ensure implementation and bring satisfaction to the refugee community and in line with host
governments plans and strategies. The Programme’s aim is to formulate at least one CIP per year in each field.
4.3
To reinforce capacity within the programme
The Programme is in its first years of establishment and is benefitting from the existing human resources in the Agency. To
improve sustainability and attract project funding, there is a need to further strengthen these capacities especially in terms of
urban planning, participatory planning, project management, leadership, communication, project formulation, report writing, etc.
4.4
To reinforce information management
There is a need to further strengthen information management and develop information system for infrastructure and facilities
that will assist the Agency in evaluation and effective decision making. Furthermore, the Agency also needs to invest and
introduce the concept of knowledge management and knowledge sharing in the Programme.
4.5
To improve internal communication and marketing within the Agency
ICIP is relatively new to the Agency with a concept and tools of participatory or community driven urban planning, the
Programme impact and the additional value that it brings to the Agency and to the refugees is not fully reinforced within the
Agency. Thus, there is a need to improve internal communication and marketing at different levels within the Agency.
4.6
To improve external communication and networking
As the Programme is delivering services on project basis and is mainly dependent on specific donor to formulate ‘Camp
Improvement Plan’ and any other interventions in the camp, it is vital to improve external communication and networking with
the donors, host governments and other stakeholders. It is unfortunate that 50 camps still don’t have any vision for
comprehensive and integrated improvement. This results in ad-hoc and disintegrated projects interventions. Thus to formulate
CIP and to fulfil the needs of the refugees, it is crucial to improve networking and external communication in the form of
conferences, panels, exhibition, meetings, pamphlets, website etc.
Attachments:
Annex-1 : Concept diagram of ICIP and process to formulate CIP.
Annex-2 : Extra budget requirement for the Programme reforms.
Annex-1
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Figure-1
Approach & Components of ICIP
Figure-2 Process of CIP Formulation
Figure-2
Process of Camp Improvement Plan Formulation
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