UNHCR Standards of Provision in Refugee Camps

The following details come from “UNHCR (2000) A Handy Guide to UNHCR Emergency Standards and Indicators”

Any individual fleeing persecution or danger has the right to be supported in the following way:

  • provision of a safe environment
  • provision of basic food
  • provision of clean water
  • provision of basic shelter
  • provision of adequate sanitation
  • provision of basic health care

This is provided by UNHCR in the following ways:

  • 2,100 calories of food provided/day
  • 5m2 of shelter per person
  • 1 latrine per family (6-10 people)
  • 1 water tap per 80-100 people
  • 1 large refuse bin per 50 people
  • 1 health care centre per 20,000 people
  • 1 hospital per 20,000 people
  • 1 school per 5000 people
  • 1 market per 20,000 people
  • nutritional screening for all under 5s
  • supplementary feeding schemes for vulnerable groups
  • plans for resolution of refugee status

These targets are continually monitored by the on-going gathering of statistics.

All camps have emergency evacuation plans, plus the means of declaring health emergencies etc.

What is not guaranteed is an independent income. Parcels and assistance iare allowed from outside the camps.