A sustainable housing solution for climate-displaced communities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia experiences frequent droughts and extreme weather events that disrupt livelihoods, reduce livestock populations and lead to internal displacement (IOM, 2023). In the Somali-Ethiopian zone, many climate-displaced individuals live in challenging conditions including at the Kersemele Kebele IDP camp. This camp is home to around 1,200 people, primarily semi-nomadic pastoralists, who have lost their livestock due to the drying of wells, linked to climate change.

The shelters in Kersemele are made of branches and tarpaulins providing limited protection from environmental conditions and contributing to mental and physical health concerns. Women in particular face heightened vulnerability due to high temperatures, plastic pollution from discarded materials and limited access to adequate sanitation, which can further affect their well-being and autonomy.

Inadequate housing can also have broader consequences on the social, cognitive, physical and emotional development of both children and adults. Addressing these issues through sustainable and adaptable interventions could help reduce risks and improve living conditions in emergency settings (Alordury, 2017).

Action for the Needy Ethiopia, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary research team, presents a new solution for emergency housing through a project implemented at the Kersemele Kebele site in Ethiopia. This initiative seeks to design sustainable and scalable housing solutions that use local resources and involve the community.

This project is based on four pillars:

• A sustainable housing response from the emergency phase onwards : the solution incorporates a “sheltering” solution (locally prefabricated building modules) which is the starting point for the supervised self-construction of a traditional and sustainable house made of raw earth bricks.
• Responsible materials and local expertise : the project uses only sustainable materials (bio-based and local) and draws on the traditional craftsmanship of the target sites, minimizes transport, and produces only biodegradable waste.
• Ensuring safety, privacy, and social ties : the design prioritizes the safety and privacy of residents while seeking to facilitate social interaction in common areas.
• A lever for economic and territorial development : beyond its residential nature, this solution aims to accelerate local economic development by employing artisans to manufacture shelters and sell raw earth bricks.