UPDATE UN-Habitat Topic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean Topic B: Fostering Sustainable Urban ...
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UPDATE UN-Habitat
PA P E R
Topic A: Developing Adequate
Housing for Refugees in Latin
America and the Caribbean
Topic B: Fostering Sustainable
2 0 2 1 Urban Development for Repatri-
ated Refugees in East Africa
Email: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
I would like to welcome you all to NHSMUN 2021 and the UN-Habitat committee. This is my first
Directors-General
year as an Assistant Director in NHSMUN, and I am very excited for the conference. I attended
Rose Blackwell
two NHSMUN conferences during High School and one SUSMUN conference in Atlanta in the
JJ Packer
8th grade, so I know how it can be a very thrilling experience and a great opportunity to learn about
Conference Services new issues you may not have read about before. I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I currently
Hannah Lilley attend the University of Miami (go ‘Canes!). I am majoring in Neuroscience and plan on possibly
Alisa Wong
minoring in microbiology and immunology. Apart from NHSMUN, I am also involved in dance,
Delegate Experience theatre, and quiz bowl.
Akanksha Sancheti
John Wood This year’s topics are extremely relevant and interesting. The first topic on developing adequate
housing for refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean is especially important to me coming from
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes Brazil because I know how big of an issue inadequate housing is here. However, the second topic
Salmaan Rashiq is also very current and significant, as fostering urban development for repatriated refugees in East
Africa is a complex issue with many different aspects to be considered, such as water sanitation,
Under-Secretaries-
General food insecurity, and ensuring affordable housing. In the update paper, we tried to focus on the most
Jon Basile current issues in the region, how they have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although
Ankita Bhat the issue of housing may often be overlooked, ensuring that people have access to appropriate
Beatriz Circelli and sustainable housing is a crucial part of enabling the progress, safety, and quality of life of the
Caitlyn Johnson people of both of the regions we will address in the committee.
Patrick Leong
Kathy Li I hope that you were all able to enjoy the process of researching and writing on these issues until
Pablo Maristany de now and that this update paper may guide your further searches on both topics. If you have any
las Casas questions, please email us, as we all look forward to seeing the great ideas and solutions you bring
McCall Olliff to debate in March.
Abolee Raut
Pranav Reddy Sincerely,
Clare Steiner
Ann Williams Marina Lamas Koria
marina.koria@imuna.org
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Session I
Email: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
Welcome to NHSMUN 2021! My name is Mia Piazzi, and I am so honored and excited to serve as
Directors-General
one of your assistant directors for Session I of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme
Rose Blackwell
(UN-HABITAT). Along with your other assistant director, Marina Koria, we are happy to present
JJ Packer
this update paper to you, and we hope it will be a useful resource for your research.
Conference Services
Hannah Lilley I have lived in Queens, New York, my whole life and am currently a sophomore at the Fashion
Alisa Wong Institute of Technology, where I major in Fashion Business Management with minors in Asian
Delegate Experience Studies and International Politics. A lot of people might wonder what fashion and Model UN have
Akanksha Sancheti to do with one another and if you can find a correlation, please tell me. Outside of school, I am
John Wood currently double interning at a fashion PR company and a media group, and I am also volunteering
on a city council campaign. When I have a bit of free time, I enjoy styling outfits, exploring new
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes places in the city, and of course, shopping. I am also an avid music listener and enjoy anything from
Salmaan Rashiq K-Pop (my favorite group is TWICE) to Italian Alpine songs.
Under-Secretaries- I attended NHSMUN from 2017–2019. During these three years, I participated in SPECPOL,
General OAS, and UNESCO. Being in fashion, I’ve realized many skills that I gained from NHSMUN
Jon Basile
have transferred over. I’ve had to do numerous presentations in class that required me to be very
Ankita Bhat
confident and assertive, which I learned from being in a large committee. Even my style has been
Beatriz Circelli
Caitlyn Johnson influenced by the business casual clothing I had to wear. All around, NHSMUN has had such a
Patrick Leong large impact on who I am as a person, and I am so immensely grateful for that experience and to
Kathy Li now serve the conference as an assistant director. A part of what made each conference so memo-
Pablo Maristany de rable was my dais. Along with Marina and your director, Ana, we are all determined to make this
las Casas committee equally enjoyable, even in this unconventional format.
McCall Olliff
Abolee Raut Like other update papers, we also focused on the impact of COVID-19, as it has undoubtedly
Pranav Reddy changed all our lives and has also impacted the severeness of these topics, pushing back a lot of
Clare Steiner initiatives and introducing a new hurdle to overcome. But we also discussed recent and futuristic
Ann Williams solutions to the topic on hand that could possibly help improve the situation. They will provide for
compelling debate throughout the sessions, and I am excited to see what you all will come up with.
NHSMUN is a one-of-a-kind experience, and while it is unfortunate that we cannot all be in person,
I am optimistic that you will still have a fantastic time in March. No matter if this is your first time
at NHSMUN or your last, I want you all to succeed in committee and feel comfortable. With that
being said, I am at your disposal for any questions, advice, or anything else that you might need.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, and I look forward to meeting you all very soon!
All the Best,
Mia Piazzi
mia.piazzi@imuna.org
United Nations Human Settlement Programme
Session I
Email: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
Welcome to NHSMUN 2021! My name is Angela Dela Cruz, and I am super excited to be one of
Directors-General
your assistant directors for UN-Habitat Session II! Seiyon and I hope that this update paper ben-
Rose Blackwell
efits you as you continue to research the topics that will be debated in committee.
JJ Packer
Conference Services I was born in the Philippines but primarily grew up in Bay Shore, New York, on Long Island. I am
Hannah Lilley a Freshman at Harvard University, concentrating in molecular and cellular biology with a secondary
Alisa Wong in mind brain behavior on a pre-medical track. While I am a die-hard STEM gal, I often enjoy im-
Delegate Experience mersing myself in the humanities and partaking in Model UN activities—aside from being an As-
Akanksha Sancheti sistant Director for NHSMUN, I am also an Assistant Director for HMUN and HNMUN’s DISEC
John Wood Committees! Outside of the Model UN World, I am an Event Coordinator for the Harvard Science
Olympiad Organization and am also a Multimedia Editor working for the Harvard Crimson, our
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes school newspaper. In the limited amount of free time I have, I enjoy geeking out about anime,
Salmaan Rashiq practicing martial arts, and learning new languages. I am also a musician and an avid music listener;
my favorite genres include any kind of rock (classic, blues, folk) and indie.
Under-Secretaries-
General Prior to becoming a NHSMUN Assistant Director, I previously participated as a delegate from
Jon Basile
2018–2020 in SOCHUM, SPECPOL, and DISEC. In the three years that I was involved in high
Ankita Bhat
school Model UN, I was able to become a better leader and a student, as it allowed me to develop
Beatriz Circelli
Caitlyn Johnson my public speaking, leadership, and communication/collaboration skills. Serving as both delegate
Patrick Leong and chair in high school is an eye-opening experience that I will never forget! NHSMUN 2021 will
Kathy Li be the third conference I act as an assistant director in this year—I am both honored and excited to
Pablo Maristany de hear everyone’s discussions and see all of your hard work and preparation come to fruition!
las Casas
McCall Olliff In our update paper, my fellow assistant director and I touch on issues related to COVID-19 that
Abolee Raut have come to light within recent months. Such topics include natural disasters, housing and sanita-
Pranav Reddy tion for refugees, and the economy—all of which are challenges that refugees and citizens of the
Clare Steiner Latin American/Caribbean region face. In committee, it is crucial that you consider these updates
Ann Williams when coming to a consensus and formulating solutions that will benefit the affected parties. Most
of all, you must work together as the United Nations to ensure them access to safe and sustainable
shelter.
I am certain that this year’s debate will be both thrilling and engaging, and I eagerly await to hear
everyone’s innovative ideas. If you have any questions, comments, and concerns, please do not
hesitate to reach out to the other chairs or me. I look forward to meeting you all in March and wish
you all the best of luck!
Sincerely,
Angela Dela Cruz
angela.delacruz@imuna.org
United Nations Human Settlement Programme
Session IIEmail: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
Welcome to NHSMUN 2021! I’m Seiyon Kim, and I am an assistant director for the United Na-
Directors-General
tions Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), Session II. My co-assistant director, Angela,
Rose Blackwell
and I are so excited to be your assistant directors, and we sincerely hope that this update paper
JJ Packer
serves as a guide to your research.
Conference Services
Hannah Lilley I am from East Brunswick, New Jersey, and the Model United Nations program was an integral part
Alisa Wong of my high school experience. I have many cherished memories from both conferences, and I hope
Delegate Experience your NHSMUN 2021 experience is just as enjoyable. I am a freshman at Rutgers University and am
Akanksha Sancheti unsure about what the future holds, but I am leaning heavily towards nursing school. In my free
John Wood time, I enjoy reading, taking pictures (especially of my cat, Luna), expending way too much mental
and physical energy into doing puzzles and cooking.
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes I am so excited to see the ideas and solutions you have regarding these unique and intricate topics.
Salmaan Rashiq In our update paper, we discuss the effects of the COVID-19 and natural disasters on housing for
Under-Secretaries- refugees, as well as ongoing efforts and challenges presented to creating sustainable housing. Being
General as specific as they are, the topics provide a lot of room for creative thinking and innovative solu-
Jon Basile
tions. Since the background guides were published, there have been new projects and efforts to pro-
Ankita Bhat
vide shelters for refugees and create sustainable housing in Latin America, the Caribbean, and East
Beatriz Circelli
Caitlyn Johnson Africa. As refugee populations in both regions continue to grow, it is critical for the United Nations
Patrick Leong and host countries to work together and ensure refugees can access safe, sustainable shelter.
Kathy Li
For the most productive debate, I encourage you to continue your research up until the conference
Pablo Maristany de
and stay updated on ongoing events. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us with questions. I’m
las Casas
McCall Olliff looking forward to meeting all of you!
Abolee Raut
Sincerely,
Pranav Reddy
Clare Steiner Seiyon Kim
Ann Williams seiyon.kim@imuna.org
United Nations Human Settlement Programme
Session IIUN-Habitat 6| Table of Contents Table of Contents Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean7 Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for Repatriated Refugees in East Africa13 Works Cited 18
UN-Habitat
NHSMUN 2021
Topic A:
Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in
Latin America and the Caribbean
Photo Credit: Romério CunhaTopic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean
8|
Introduction
Political, economic, ecological, and social issues in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to
exacerbate the region’s refugee crises. Overpopulated refugee camps face difficulties in providing
adequate housing for the rising population. The situations in Venezuela and Nicaragua—the two
largest sources of refugees in the region—show no signs of de-escalation or conclusion. As a result,
more people will likely flee their country while currently displaced people will be unable to return.
In existing temporary shelters, insufficient space for proper social distancing and severe scarcities
of hygiene and sanitation supplies have made the COVID-19 pandemic particularly devastating. In
recent months, external factors have forced many people to flee their homes. The 2020 hurricane
season was particularly devastating to affected regions. Multiple high-level hurricanes caused wide-
scale destruction of land and buildings, including the homes of people living in Latin America and
the Caribbean.1 Countries like Nicaragua and Honduras were left with an unprecedented number
of people in urgent need of shelter following the storms. The decreased economic activity only
drives more people into poverty and further exacerbates suffering in the region. It is imperative that
delegates research recent developments that have impacted housing for refugees to address the chal-
lenges created by COVID-19 and recent natural disasters.
Refugees and COVID-19 from facilities, cost of care, or legal status, which often pre-
COVID-19 is currently the most daunting challenge that ref- vents refugees from accessing essential care. Now, COVID-19
ugees in Latin America and the Caribbean face. Social dis- has debilitated those existing healthcare systems making them
tancing, frequent handwashing, and access to essential health even more difficult to access for refugees.4
services are crucial in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Living conditions in refugee camps and informal shelters and
However, for refugees living in refugee camps or temporary
the lack of sanitation supplies further increase the likelihood
shelters, these are unattainable luxuries. Many refugee camps
of the spread of COVID-19. Refugee camps in major cit-
are overcrowded, making it impossible to maintain a safe dis-
ies are severely overcrowded; one camp in São Paulo, Brazil,
tance from others. This same issue arises in urban shelters,
where refugees live in close quarters. COVID-19 has also de- holds 8,100 people per square kilometer.5 In developing coun-
creased access to necessary supplies such as food, water, and tries, nearly 75 percent of people do not have basic handwash-
sanitation supplies.2 Urban shelters also have little access to ing facilities at home, and in refugee camps, soap and water
testing for COVID-19, which has been severely limited in the are rarely accessible.6 More than 22 percent of refugee camps
Latin American and the Caribbean regions.3 Refugees already and shelters lack access to adequate water supplies.7 At a min-
lack access to proper healthcare because of physical distance imum, a person requires four gallons of water per day for
1 “Too Many Storms, Not Enough Names,” NPR, November 30, 2020, https://www.npr.org/2020/11/30/937986687/too-many-storms-
not-enough-names/.
2 “COVID-19 Brief: Impact on Refugees,” U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, accessed December 4, 2020, https://www.usglc.org/corona-
virus/refugees/.
3 Elizabeth Gonzales et. al, “The Coronavirus in Latin America,” Americas Society/ Council of the Americas, last modified November 18,
2020, https://www.as-coa.org/articles/coronavirus-latin-america.
4 United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Habitat III Policy Papers: Policy Paper 10 Housing Policies (New
York: United Nations, 2017), http://uploads.habitat3.org/hb3/Habitat%20III%20Policy%20Paper%2010.pdf.
5 “Space, shelter and scarce resources - coping with COVID-19,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, accessed December 4,
2020, https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e1da7d80fbcf4ce8a3a954910c1e7f37.
6 “Handwashing with soap, critical in the fight against coronavirus, is ‘out of reach’ for billions – UNICEF Statement on preventing
COVID-19,” UNICEF, last modified March 13, 2020, https://www.unicef.org/eap/press-releases/handwashing-soap-critical-fight-against-
coronavirus-out-reach-billions-unicef.
7 “Handwashing with soap, critical in the fight against coronavirus, is ‘out of reach’ for billions.”Topic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean
|9
drinking, washing, cooking, and personal hygiene uses.8 For those of the general population.
context, the average American uses 88 gallons of water per
day.9 Not only is the lack of access to water detrimental for Natural Disasters
basic hygiene and sanitation maintenance, but it exacerbates
The 2020 hurricane season has wreaked havoc in Latin Amer-
the spread of COVID-19. It is vital that refugees at risk of
ica and the Caribbean with a total of 39 hurricanes, breaking
contracting the COVID-19 virus are provided with adequate
the record for the most named hurricanes in a season.11 Five
housing conditions in order to promote health, sanitation, and
storms between October 5, 2020, and November 18, 2020,
safety.
were particularly devastating to the region: Hurricanes Delta,
While COVID-19 has impacted everyone, refugees have Zeta, Eta, Theta, and Iota.12 These storms left affected coun-
had to face substantial challenges. As discussed in the back- tries with no time to fortify shelters before the next hurricane
ground guide, refugees often cannot access proper medical came, and the effects of the storms on individuals in those
care because of its high cost. Furthermore, because refugee countries were devastating, as upwards of a million people
camps, slums, and temporary urban settlements are usually were forced to leave their homes, some of whom had pre-
long distances away from healthcare facilities, it may not even viously been displaced.13 In Honduras, the United Nations
be practical to travel for medical care, especially in the event Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN
of a time-sensitive emergency. Additionally, the poor sanitary OCHA) estimated that out of the nearly 1.8 million Hondu-
conditions and extreme population density of these shelters rans affected by Hurricane Eta, about 40 thousand were in
increase the likelihood of becoming ill, especially in light of a shelters.14
highly contagious virus such as COVID-19. Medical challeng-
es make it especially difficult for refugees to move to proper Numerous informal, temporary shelters have been created in
housing, as their short-term focus on paying medical bills and places such as schools, but many are overcrowded.15 In San
receiving proper treatment impedes them from saving the Pedro Sula, one of the largest cities in Honduras, there are
funds to do so. COVID-19 creates a new challenge in that only 84 shelters to hold about 100,000 people.16 When these
many refugees cannot continue doing the jobs they had before shelters reach their maximum capacity and are forced to close
the pandemic, causing an increase in evictions for Venezuelan their doors, people are left with no choice but to seek shel-
refugees in Colombia.10 Therefore, the focus should be on ter under bridges and near motorways.17 The temporary shel-
housing and how the lack of access to sustainable housing has ters do not meet UN standards for adequate shelter.18 These
created unique challenges during the pandemic separate from standards include “adequate privacy, adequate space, adequate
8 “Space, shelter and scarce resources - coping with COVID-19.”
9 “WaterSense: Statistics and Facts,” United States Environmental Protection Agency, accessed November 30, 2020, https://www.epa.gov/
watersense/statistics-and-facts.
10 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela ( Geneva: UNHCR, December 10, 2020), https://data2.
unhcr.org/es/documents/details/82927.
11 “Too Many Storms, Not Enough Names.”
12 “Too Many Storms, Not Enough Names.”
13 Allison Chinchar and Haley Brink, “Hurricane season ends historic as predicted by experts back in April,” CNN, November 30, 2020,
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/weather/record-breaking-atlantic-hurricane-season-wrap-up/index.html.
14 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Central America: Tropical Storm Eta Situation Report No. 2 (New York
: OCHA, November 9, 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20201109%20CA%20Eta%20SitRep%202.pdf.
15 “In pictures: Hurricanes leave Hondurans homeless and destitute,” BBC, November 29, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-
america-55064560.
16 Claudio Escalon, “Hundreds of thousands at Honduras’ shelters after hurricanes,” Associated Press, November 21, 2020, https://apnews.
com/article/international-news-floods-honduras-coronavirus-pandemic-hurricanes-6ef26cf35c75c1e9ebc414a791ee3768.
17 Duncan Tucker and Encarni Pindado, “When it rains it pours: The devastating impact of hurricanes Eta and Iota in Honduras,” Am-
nesty International, last modified December 13, 2020, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/12/devastating-impact-hurricanes-
eta-iota-honduras/.
18 United Nations, Fact Sheet No.21, The Human Right to Adequate Housing (Geneva :OHCHR, October 2009), https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/
files/FactSheet21en.pdf.10|T opic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean
security, adequate lighting and ventilation, adequate basic in- and the third phase will focus on sustainable development.25
frastructure and adequate location concerning work and basic It will take significant effort and aid from the government and
facilities-all at a reasonable cost.”19 With the loss of land and the international community to complete the first and second
infrastructure caused by the hurricanes, inhabitants have been phases to properly proceed with the third phase, making ev-
left homeless, with their “shelters” often being no more than ery step critical to creating sustainable housing.26 While aid
a mat and blanket.20 Sanitary conditions are poor, and over- from other countries and non-governmental organizations
crowding is severe, increasing the spread of COVID-19.21 may make it possible to create temporary settlements and pro-
vide tents, these countries face the daunting task of rebuilding
For refugees from countries such as Guatemala and Hondu- their infrastructure and economies. Delegates should focus on
ras, the state of their home after the hurricane made landfall creating solutions that will create adequate temporary hous-
is likely unknown.22 The hurricanes’ torrential rains caused se- ing for those who will eventually return to their homes, as
vere flooding and recurring landslides, making it difficult to well as permanent housing for those whose homes have been
determine when it is safe to return.23 Many lost their homes destroyed.
permanently, washed away in floodwaters or buried in mud as
deep as 50 feet.24 Worse still, because of the dramatic changes The Economy in Latin America and the Carib-
to the landscape, the land that their home was built on may bean
no longer be suitable for rebuilding. Therefore, while many The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a considerable chal-
people need temporary shelter until they can return to their lenge to the Latin American and Caribbean economies. Al-
homes, others have permanently lost their homes and will though the gross domestic product (GDP) of Latin America
need to find new ones. Considering that such people have was, at the beginning of the year, anticipated to grow at a
lost most of their money and belongings in the hurricane, rate of 1.8 percent in 2020, updated projections expect an
they may turn to inadequate shelter or slums. In doing so, 8.1 percent contraction.27 Due to the significant economic
they will likely enter the cycle of poverty, as living in these downturn this fiscal year, income inequality and poverty
slums decreases the availability of opportunities for work and are expected to rise considerably.28 According to the United
education, further decreasing their ability to afford adequate Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the
housing in the future. The destruction and loss of land caused Caribbean (ECLAC), inequality will increase in all countries
by the hurricanes also impact the governments’ ability to cre- in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly those with
ate sustainable housing. They have delayed plans for sustain- large economies such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.29 Fur-
able development to prioritize immediate humanitarian relief. thermore, a United Nations report from July 2020 stated that
The Honduran government has created a three-phase plan: there would be an estimated 37.2 percent escalation in poverty
the first phase will focus on humanitarian relief; the second rate by the end of 2020 for the region—6.9 percent higher
phase will focus on rapid repair of homes, roads, and bridges; than in 2019—which ultimately accounts for an additional 45
19 United Nations, Fact Sheet No.21, The Human Right to Adequate Housing.
20 “Hurricanes leave Hondurans homeless and destitute.”
21 “Hurricanes leave Hondurans homeless and destitute.”
22 Natalie Gallón and Matt Rivers, “In Central America, a devastating storm and an uncertain future,” CNN, November 12, 2020, https://
www.cnn.com/2020/11/12/americas/hurricane-eta-guatemala-honduras-intl/index.html.
23 “In Central America, a devastating storm and an uncertain future.”
24 “In Central America, a devastating storm and an uncertain future.”
25 Delphine Schrank, “Battered by back-to-back hurricanes, Honduras braces for a long recovery,” The Washington Post, November 26, 2020,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/hurricane-eta-iota-honduras-central-america/2020/11/25/8cd11e98-2e75-11eb-
bae0-50bb17126614_story.html.
26 “Battered by back-to-back hurricanes, Honduras braces for a long recovery.”
27 Joaquín Cottani, “The Effects of Covid-19 on Latin America’s Economy,” Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), last
modified November 18, 2020. https://www.csis.org/analysis/effects-covid-19-latin-americas-economy.
28 Cottani, “The Effects of Covid-19 on Latin America’s Economy.”
29 Mark P. Sullivan et al., Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19, Congressional Research Service, December 17, 2020, Ac-
cessed December 20, 2020, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF11581.pdf.Topic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean
|11
million people.30 shelter, get back up on their feet, and help re-stimulate the
economy. While the concept of economic stagnation on its
Latin American and Caribbean economies were greatly af-
own does not fall under the jurisdiction of this topic, it is dis-
fected by COVID-19 in 2020, and the pandemic has caused a
tinctly linked to housing and must be addressed by delegates
decline in the fiscal position of both regions. The economies
looking to effectively improve housing availability and condi-
of these regions have become hampered by and observed
tions. As Latin American and Caribbean countries are able to
an overall decrease in economic activity and increased gov-
re-stimulate economic growth, they will also be able to dedi-
ernment spending. Due to efforts to mitigate the spread of
cate more resources towards improved housing for vulnerable
disease, shutdowns, and social distancing have been imple-
populations.
mented at the cost of labor availability, which hinders the
overall economy by slowing production and expenditure.31 Delegates must understand the current economic situation
The aforementioned decline in aggregate demand has led to in the Latin American and Caribbean regions and consider
a reduction in revenues and accompanies a sharp increase in how these countries might stimulate and repair their economy.
unemployment. On the other hand, the decrease in aggregate While COVID-19 has played a significant role in the current
supply could lead to a situation economists refer to as “stag- state of the region’s economies, it should not be the sole focus
flation,” where growing inflation rates cause prices to increase when formulating possible solutions. Moreover, short-term
while the economy still fails to grow.32 As a result, many of and long-term solutions will be crucial in jumpstarting these
the citizens in Latin American and Caribbean countries will nations’ economic situations and giving them the tools neces-
be feeling the financial impact of the shutdown, possibly in sary to maintain economic growth and prosperity for years
the form of losing their houses and the ability to purchase to come. In committee, delegates must assess the issue and
essential goods and services.33 determine what they, as the UN-Habitat, can do to aid Latin
American and Caribbean nations and their economies so that
Housing is an additional challenge for these countries already
adequate housing may be profitable and financially attainable.
experiencing economic hardship. Despite its importance,
housing has been widely neglected in COVID-19 economic
Conclusion
responses in favor of other significant issues, such as access
to job opportunities, production of goods and services, and The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a significant det-
the provision of public services.34 Due to the lack of attention riment to Latin American and Caribbean countries in many
that housing receives from policymakers, central governments ways. For refugees, in particular, their housing situations
fail to distribute funding that would allow local and regional greatly increase the chances of spreading the virus. The pan-
communities to create adequate housing while simultaneously demic has resulted in setbacks in sanitation for refugees as well
allocating funds to urban services.35 Thus, any progress made as economic and infrastructural devastation to the countries
is minute, and a significant proportion of the population, that house them. Natural disasters have proven crippling to
mostly made up of the impoverished, must deal with what the overall welfare of these countries and have especially im-
little inadequate shelter is provided.36 Improved policies de- pacted refugees whose homes have been destroyed. Although
signed to alleviate financial concerns (on both governments these issues are multifaceted, delegates should be sure to focus
and the constituents) could allow those in poverty to find on UN-Habitat’s mandate and come up with solutions that
30 Sullivan et al., Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19.
31 Regional Economic Outlook for Western Hemisphere (Washington DC : International Monetary Fund, October 2020), https://www.imf.org/en/
Publications/REO/WH/Issues/2020/10/13/regional-economic-outlook-western-hemisphere.
32 Ryan Williams, “Why Stagflation Is Back on Some Traders’ Radars,” August 14, 2020, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti-
cles/2020-08-14/why-stagflation-is-back-on-some-traders-radars-quicktake.
33 Williams, “Why Stagflation Is Back on Some Traders’ Radars.”
34 Melanie McCrackin, “Housing in Latin America: The Problems, Policies and Potentials.” BORGEN Magazine, November 3, 2020,
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/housing-in-latin-america-the-problems-policies-and-potentials/.
35 McCrackin, “Housing in Latin America: The Problems, Policies and Potentials.”
36 McCrackin, “Housing in Latin America: The Problems, Policies and Potentials.”12|T opic A: Developing Adequate Housing for Refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean ensure sustainable housing and communities for those in the region. Despite the impediments, it is possible that through collaboration and meticulous planning, Latin American and Caribbean populations can find their footing with the imple- mentation of a thorough and comprehensive policy.s
UN-Habitat
NHSMUN 2021
Topic B:
Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for
Repatriated Refugees in East Africa
Photo Credit: diaznash14|T opic B: Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for Repatriated Refugees in East Africa
Introduction
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic added significant stress to existing problems in the East Africa
region for various groups, including women, minorities, and refugees. Strict lockdowns have fur-
thered uncertainty for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) already in transit to their
home countries. These groups are now trapped in intermediary locations and are highly vulnerable
due to a lack of resources and face heightened vulnerability to disease as a result of a lack of sanita-
tion, social distancing, and health-related supplies. While many East African countries originally fared
well regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, infections have begun to grow in many countries in which
refugees reside. Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to draw resources and funding
away from various programs that traditionally assist refugees in East Africa, conditions for refugees
have begun to worsen. Repatriated refugees are facing a growing risk of their only viable housing op-
tions being in dangerous urban slums. As such, it is more important now than ever for UN-Habitat
to foster urban development in East Africa that provides the groundwork for health and success for
all repatriated refugees.
COVID 19’s Effect on Urban Resettled Refu- individuals in households without water, sanitation, and food
gees
storage are more likely to violate lockdown measures, empha-
Due to COVID-19 and a lack of resources for refugee repa- sizing the important connection between food security, water,
triation in the East African Community (EAC), it has become and habitation with the fight against the COVID-19 pandem-
more difficult for refugees to access food and clean water.1 ic.6
Refugees returning to their home countries face settlements
and camps with poor sanitation and access to basic health Together with South Africa, East African countries recorded
supplies.2 As governments allocate funds to COVID-19 re- more than one million COVID-19 cases during October.7 A
sponses and away from refugee resettlement, these groups total of 1,047,124 confirmed cases and 24,997 deaths (a case
experience some of the greatest levels of food insecurity in fatality ratio of 2.4 percent) have been documented.8 In Ke-
the region.3 Between 2018 and 2019, the number of people nya, for example, 25 percent of cases were recorded in Octo-
in need of urgent food assistance rose by two percent (or ber alone.9 Moreover, flooding and conflicts in East African
650,000 people), with disproportionate effects on repatriated countries have hindered COVID-19 prevention measures, es-
refugees and IDPs.4 This problem worsened in 2020 with the pecially among the displaced populations facing serious water,
pandemic, adding more challenges to already overcrowded sanitation, and hygiene challenges.10 This can be troubling, as
refugee camps, offering a low quality of life to repatriated it puts stress on already underfunded housing development
refugees and IDPs.5 Additionally, researchers have found that projects. COVID-19 has also underscored the importance of
1 Salman Salman, “South Sudan road to independence: Broken promises and lost opportunities,” Pac. McGeorge Global Bus. & Dev. LJ 26, no.
2( January 2013): 344 -410, https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=globe).
2 Salman, “South Sudan road to independence: Broken promises and lost opportunities.”
3 Salman, “South Sudan road to independence: Broken promises and lost opportunities.”
4 Phoebe Sleet, Food Security Declines in East Africa Following Economic, Climate and Conflict Shocks - Future Directions International (Nedlands :Fu-
ture Directions International Pty Ltd, October 2020), https://www.futuredirections.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Food-Security-
Declines-in-East-Africa-Following-Economic-Climate-and-Conflict-Shocks.pdf.
5 Sleet, “Food Security Declines in East Africa Following Economic, Climate and Conflict Shocks - Future Directions International.”
6 Bernard Ekumah et al., “Disparate on-site access to water, sanitation, and food storage heighten the risk of COVID-19 spread in Sub-
Saharan Africa,” Environmental research 189 (2020) : 1-12, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7368919/pdf/main.pdf.
7 UNFPA, East and Southern Africa Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 9., ( New York : UNFPA ESARO, October 2020),https://reliefweb.
int/report/south-africa/east-and-southern-africa-region-covid-19-situation-report-no-9-1-31-october-2020.
8 UNFPA, East and Southern Africa Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 9.
9 UNFPA, East and Southern Africa Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 9.
10 UNFPA, East and Southern Africa Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 9.Topic B: Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for Repatriated Refugees in East Africa
|15
proper water sanitation and supply, as handwashing is one of Violent conflicts, such as the South Sudanese civil war in 2013,
the most basic prevention measures against the disease. Rapid have been a major factor in reducing food security, especially
urbanization also strains the water supply. A recent World in Ethiopia and South Sudan in 2020. This happens because
Bank tool for identifying pandemic “hotspots” found that cit- conflicts undermine these countries’ development, worsening
ies’ crowded living conditions and inadequate public services, poverty, which in turn contributes to food insecurity. For ex-
especially inadequate waste management and sanitation, are ample, 82 percent of South Sudan’s population lived under
major sources of risk for transmitting the disease.11 Refugees the international poverty line in 2016, placing South Sudan
returning to urban areas that lack adequate infrastructure face among the world’s poorest countries.14 This increase in the
intersecting challenges of poor sanitation and food insecurity, number of families living under the poverty line led to a de-
which further exacerbates the spread of COVID-19. cline in consumption levels from 2009–2016.15 The increase in
poverty poses additional challenges to humanitarian agencies,
COVID-19 also adds an extra obstacle to food security, which
which fund programs for individuals internally displaced by
is already an ongoing issue due to conflicts, climate shocks,
conflicts and floods, forcing such agencies to cut food rations.
and economic instability.12 Specifically, it has caused a rise in
For example, the World Food Programme had to make cuts
food prices and poverty in regions where there were already
of 30 percent in April 2020 due to a lack of funding.16
concerns in the pre-pandemic period. One way in which this
happens is through the implementation of lockdowns and All of these issues reinforce each other, as evidenced by the
border closures.13 The latter may lead to a shortage of essen- situation in South Sudan in 2013, in which food insecurity
tial food supplies. Closing borders limits the supply and in- rose after conflicts. Such conflicts have worsened social and
creases the prices of other food-related products and services, political tensions and caused livestock displacement, early
such as seeds, agrochemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers. Food depletion of food stocks, and poor access to markets.17 In
security in the region decreased in 2020 due to two unusually addition, as COVID-19 exacerbates existing problems with
wet, rainy seasons. These conditions have led to floods and food security and hygiene, so too do those problems further
landslides, destroying crops and pastureland. Growing food increase the spread of COVID-19. As a vulnerable population
insecurity presents an especially pressing challenge for repatri- moving into urban areas with little to no pre-existing support,
ated refugees, who rely on low-cost food in the early stages refugees are particularly at risk when considering the effects
of repatriation. Without food being readily available, refugees of poor food security and hygiene. Measures must be taken to
may have to spend more to find food and, therefore, will have assist refugees and IDPs to protect them from the resulting
little money to spend on safe housing. This dilemma furthers consequences of regional conflict and the spread of disease.
the issues of slums, making safe housing in East Africa even Humanitarian workers, local leaders, and National Task Forc-
more important. es on COVID-19, such as the one present in Uganda, may be
11 The World Bank Group, The Impact of COVID-19 on the Water and Sanitation Sector(Washington, D.C : World Bank Group, June 2020),
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/126b1a18-23d9-46f3-beb7-047c20885bf6/The+Impact+of+COVID_Water%26Sanitation_fi-
nal_web.pdf ?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=ncaG-hA.
12 Ayansina Ayanlade and Maren Radeny, “COVID-19 and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa: implications of lockdown during agricul-
tural planting seasons,” nature partner journals 4, no. 1 (2020): 1-6, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344245283_COVID-19_and_
food_security_in_Sub-Saharan_Africa_implications_of_lockdown_during_agricultural_planting_seasons.
13 Ayanlade and Radeny, “COVID-19 and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa: implications of lockdown during agricultural planting sea-
sons,” 1-6.
14 The World Bank Group, South Sudan Economic Update, July 2018( Washington , D.C : The World Bank Group, July 2018), https://
openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30294#:~:text=82%20percent%20of%20South%20Sudanese,to%20food%20insecurity%20
and%20displacement.
15 The World Bank Group, The Impact of Conflicts and Shock on Poverty, (Washington, D.C : The World Bank Group, June 2018), https://
documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/953201537854160003/impact-of-conflict-and-shocks-on-
poverty-south-sudan-poverty-assessment-2017.
16 Sleet,”Food Security Declines in East Africa Following Economic, Climate and Conflict Shocks - Future Directions International.”
17 Sleet,”Food Security Declines in East Africa Following Economic, Climate and Conflict Shocks - Future Directions International.”16|T opic B: Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for Repatriated Refugees in East Africa
important sources of assistance.18 in slums.23 There is also a large housing deficit in the region
due to the high prices of new homes and residential mortgages
Recent Solutions to Improving Affordable that are hard to access.24 Additionally, “rapid urbanization and
Housing and the Eliminate Slums
lack of urban planning” have made affordable housing hard
An ongoing challenge for regions that host millions of refu- to come by, and “ownership remains out of reach for many
gees and IDPs is providing decent and affordable housing. households in the region.”25 Fortunately, some governments
In the EAC, the provision of affordable housing and land have recognized this as a problem and have started coming up
progressively becomes harder, making the quality of life for with ways to solve their housing deficits and develop sustain-
the people living there lower and lower. Since September 30, able urban housing.
2020, East Africa has one of the highest numbers of dis-
In Kenya, the government has taken on a more technologi-
placed populations globally, with 6.4 million IDPs and 3.3
cal approach to building affordable homes. By utilizing ex-
million refugees.19 These numbers are projected to rise as cli-
panded polystyrene (EPS) panels, homes can be built in less
mate change forcibly pushes people out of their homes and
time and in a more sustainable fashion.26 To structure these
produces wide-scale famine alongside a lack of clean water.20
buildings and make them secure, “EPS building technology
Africa’s mass urbanization continues to spread infectious dis- entails building homes by assembling ready-made EPS panels,
eases faster and makes response and containment measures sandwiched between a wire mesh that is sealed on both sides
more difficult.21 With COVID-19 spreading rapidly through- with concrete.” Additional efficient and sustainable technolo-
out the region, UN-Habitat quickly developed a COVID-19 gies also exist, such as Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks and
Response Plan on April 22, 2020. This plan set out to help Compressed Agricultural Fiber.27 With these new advance-
64 developing and densely populated countries through ments, Kenya is looking towards a brighter future for sustain-
awareness-raising campaigns, access to handwashing facilities, able housing, which could be used in other EAC countries.
PPE, and large amounts of funding. Along with preventive These building technologies could also become an area of
measures, UN-Habitat has also focused on countering the investment for businesses and lead to economic stimulation,
pandemic’s economic impacts to help with recovery in these which may provide more funding towards affordable housing.
countries. Focusing on “developing models for large scale
Housing finance in the EAC has become an area of inter-
public investments in affordable and adequate housing pro-
est for governments and stakeholders in the region, allow-
grammes and slum upgrading with a focus on water and sani-
ing homebuyers to have more access to capital. In Uganda,
tation and climate mitigation.”22
it is estimated that the housing deficit is at 2.1 million units.28
As of 2018, 58 percent of East Africa’s urban population live However, with housing finance, individuals can better afford
18 Willis Gwenzi, “Leaving no stone unturned in light of the COVID-19 faecal-oral hypothesis? A water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
perspective targeting low-income countries,” Science of the Total Environment 753 (2021), 1-15, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC7438205/pdf/main.pdf.
19 World Food Programme, WFP East Africa: Regional Refugee Update, November 2020 (Rome : World Food Programme, November 2020),
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/RBN_RefugeeReport_NOV2020.pdf.
20 World Food Programme, WFP East Africa: Regional Refugee Update.
21 UN- Habitat, COVID-19 Response: Report of Activities, September 2020 ( Nairobi : UN - Habitat, September 2020), https://unhabitat.org/
sites/default/files/2020/10/covid-19_response_report_web26.10.20.pdf.
22 UN- Habitat, COVID-19 Response: Report of Activities, September 2020
23 Julia Faria,”Share of Slum Population in East Africa by Country,” Statista, last modified November 4, 2020, https://www.statista.com/
statistics/1171623/share-of-slum-population-in-east-africa-by-country/.
24 Faria,”Share of Slum Population in East Africa by Country,”
25 Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, “Housing Finance in East Africa,” accessed November 30, 2020, http://housingfi-
nanceafrica.org/regions/east-african-community-eac/.
26 Eddy Mwanza, “Building a Home: New Technology Saving Kenyans Millions,” Kenyans.co.ke, last modified November 26, 2020,
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/59519-building-home-new-technology-saving-kenyans-millions.
27 Mwanza, “Building a Home: New Technology Saving Kenyans Millions,”
28 Godfrey Ivudria, “Affordable Housing is Possible With Housing Finance Bank,” EABW News, November 14, 2020, https://www.busi-
week.com/affordable-housing-is-possible-with-housing-finance-bank-babuwaire/.Topic B: Fostering Sustainable Urban Development for Repatriated Refugees in East Africa
|17
housing through a series of small payments without worrying East Africa. For now, it is important to consider all the factors
about paying large amounts at once. Some of these solutions that are making sustainable urban development in the region
include longer repayment periods, grace periods, and early difficult to achieve and to think about collaborative solutions
loan redemption.29 With longer pay periods and fewer extra so that this issue can be under control as quickly as possible
costs, buying a home in these countries has become much and as efficiently as possible.s
more possible for people in countries like Uganda. Delegates
should look to Uganda’s success when attempting to craft af-
fordable housing solutions across the EAC.
Developing adequate, affordable housing and the permanent
elimination of slums is a challenge that requires innovative
and futuristic solutions. This issue must be solved as soon
as possible as the numbers of refugees and IDPs will only
continue to rise in East Africa. The issue of slums and hous-
ing requires not only short-term, humanitarian solutions like
providing better access to necessities but long-term solutions
that allow people to leave slums in favor of affordable and
sustainable housing. It requires tackling the issue at the root
to understand what causes people to live in slums instead of
housing units.
Conclusion
In the period of one year, efforts to help refugees and IDPs
repatriate in East Africa have been pushed to the side. A lack
of funds and resources threatens to produce long-lasting con-
sequences in the region. This pandemic has not stopped the
growing rate of refugees and IDPs that are returning to the
East African region. This will create a higher demand for af-
fordable housing faster and will need modern and timely solu-
tions.
With millions fleeing their homes, housing is necessary to
help repatriated refugees rebuild their new lives. Developing
financial programs to help them afford homes and coming
up with innovative solutions to make housing more afford-
able and sustainable will help these populations in the long
run to have a more stable and secure life. This is why it is so
important to think ahead and plan for the future so that there
will be housing when refugees and IDPs return to their East
African countries of origin. Along with the hopeful prospects
of a worldwide vaccine in 2021, perhaps efforts and previous
plans can be put back on track to help these populations in
29 Ivudria, “Affordable Housing is Possible With Housing Finance Bank.”18|UN-H
W C orks
abitat
ited
Works Cited
Topic A
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This UNHCR webpage covers the documentation process for refugees, including documents and details they need to obtain legal documentation.
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