The speaker, Rolf Grossembacher, spoke about projects in North Caucasus with which SDC/HA is involved. He noted that the region has seen significant population displacement in recent years. His agency was particularly concerned that assistance usually rendered was to variable standards, which created tension amongst beneficiaries.
He described a Durable Solution (DuSo) that was integrated with the national system and that complied with local standards, deployed after camps. He stressed the importance of site selection and access to livelihoods: one example settlement presented had been sited remotely, and beneficiaries refused to relocate there.
The speaker noted that standards used for housing were sometimes based upon displacement standards, rather than permanent housing standards. He explained how inappropriate funding mechanisms drove down standards by favouring implementers who commit to construct the greatest number of houses, rather than houses built to appropriate standards.