Shelter security in Kashmir: a central aspect of long-term recovery

Shelter is considered as being one of the most basic human rights. Appropriate shelter is supposed to provide protection against climatic conditions like wind, rain, sun and cold, and should further represent a place of privacy and security. The type of shelter can vary according to geographical, climatic and welfare situations. It may be in form of masonry, clayed or wooden houses. No matter what they are made of, they provide a home for people - something essential for human beings. However, finding the right balance between a quality and longer-term orientated way of constructing shelter and the fast building up of basic shortterm emergency shelter is challenging. There may unquestionably be awareness of the importance of sustainability of shelter, but still, in emergency cases the timeliness of shelter construction plays a more important role in order to provide the victims a roof over their head as soon as possible.