A big congratulations to all the winners of the Shelter Essentials Video Competition! We appreciate your contributions towards the promotion of good shelter and settlements programming in emergencies.

Winner – Keren Remaliah Karsa, Indonesia

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message D. Shelter and settlements assistance must be inclusive

The reason I chose message D, “Shelter and settlement assistance must be inclusive”, is because I realize there are still lack of considerations in providing inclusive shelters that could potentially empower others (even the most vulnerable people in the society). This message is also close to my university major, Interior Design, where inclusivity is important for the Human Centered Design aspects. Shelter is more than just a building. Shelter is a process. Process requires learning and listening to all the users, knowing what they need. I hope my video can expand the message through a simple yet entertaining way. I also hope to be able to positively impact others to care more for those with special needs.

Second Prize – Sadida Nur Fatimah, Fathoni Khotibul Ilman, Dzaky Muhammad Yuan, Indonesia

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message J. Locally appropriate technical solutions work best

This video aims to highlight the importance of locally appropriate technical solutions implementation from the perspective of human loss cause in earthquakes. Our team chose this message because we are in concern for design inclusivity. Structure error is a concerning phenomenon in developing countries, caused mostly by limited financial capabilities and access to professionals. Hence even if advanced technology could prevent building collapse, it could not truly reach informal societies which are a large part of the population. So, they were under those inappropriate structures until a disastrous earthquake prove the buildings’ fragility. They survive in trauma, barely with any money or property, and if fortunate accommodated in temporary shelters with various limitations of life they are supposed to have. With those conditions, they still have to rebuild themselves, often coming back to their previous inhabitation with the need for more resilient dwellings. As professionals, we could reorganize our mindset for the “technology” definition and see through the local wisdom of construction. Rather than unfamiliar new techniques, locally appropriate technical solutions have been adapted for years to its condition and people. It is already quite resilient, yet potentially be upgraded by local people with some guidance from professionals. It has the potential to create a circular economy from the utilization of local materials. Rebuilding a stronger life by applying local wisdom means efficiency in cost, time, material, and human resources. It simply makes everyone happy. And it is supposed to be us, the architects, to reduce the gap in professional access by informal societies and make the appropriate design more inclusive. It is supposed to be us to realize the beauty of local technology and help them to regain their smiles.

Third Prize – Jocelyn Keller, Spain

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message G. Shelter and settlements go hand in hand

Reinforcing settlements-level thinking as well as how it ensures access to infrastructure and services while increasing livelihood opportunities has been a critical message involved in core message G that spoke to me while looking over the resources. This video created aims to demonstrate “Shelter and Settlements Going Hand in Hand” as indicated by the Global Shelter Cluster’s Shelter Project Essentials, reoccurring messages from shelter projects, and case studies documents. I was very inspired while reviewing the documents at hand and while I wish I had known about this opportunity sooner I would have chosen multiple messages to elaborate on however core message G was the one that stood out to me the most.

Moses Kyeba, Kenya

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message K. Good projects reduce the impacts of future shocks

Floods have been known to cause immense devastation which has resulted in the loss of lives and property. This submission finds its relevance in the face of urgency to adapt Kenya’s built environment to flooding – which is likely to continue to prevail in the decades to come –rather than resist flooding. This submission seeks to conceptualise flood resilience as a possible solution to the crisis of floods to reduce the impact of future shocks. The resulting shelters should, in theory, contribute to the long-term success of flood control in the built environment.

Matthew Batista, United States

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message J. Locally appropriate technical solutions work best

Many countries in Africa have been severly affected by political corruption and social unrest for decades. One of those countries is none other than the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country rich in nautral resources, has been a warzone ever since the Belgian colonization, facing multiple, overlapping crises. This has lead a profound effect on it’s people, with many suffering from misplacement, starvation, and death. This video helps describes what is currently being done for the civilians in need, and how it’s making a difference in the country.

Maryam Azhar Sheikh, India

#SHELTERESSENTIALS Message G. Shelter and settlements go hand in hand

The world we live in today is constantly faced with unfortunate situations that result in people having to leave their homes. Life as we know it can change any moment. And it is in these moments that those around us are given a chance to help. It is vital that a sense of community and belonging be established so that when faced with disasters, people will not hesitate to welcome those in need.