Lebanon
2024
Architects
Karim Najjar, Sarah Rita Kattan
Volunteers
Israa Alameh, Fatima Mourad, Jaafar Ghrabi
Partners
ProAbled, ShareQ, Marwan Sfeir
In response to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, D4C has taken proactive steps to support more than one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by transforming educational institutions into temporary collective shelters throughout the country. This initiative, fully funded by individual donors, has provided emergency relief and ensured displaced families access to safe, functional, and dignified living spaces.
To ensure these shelters were safe, functional, and psychologically supportive, D4C developed Guidelines for Collective Shelters, a comprehensive framework for adapting schools into safe and functional shelters for displaced populations, prioritizing safety, functionality, comfort, and accessibility, drawing from global best practices and incorporating insights from partners like ProAbled, ShareQ, and Marwan Sfeir, Landscaping and Architect Designer. The goal was to foster dignity, security, and a sense of community for displaced individuals facing extreme hardship.
In addition to sharing the Guidelines for Collective Shelters with all NGOs and Lebanon Humanitarian and Development Forum (LHDF) in Lebanon and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), D4C launched an open call for volunteers, including architects and engineers, who were trained to implement the guidelines across various sectors and regions of Lebanon.
D4C mapped and collaborated with local NGOs to identify schools and community centers that could be transformed into shelters, ensuring a comprehensive network of support. A design unit of architects and engineers worked remotely to create tailored solutions for each shelter, which were then shared for implementation. The design thinking methodology was central to the process, emphasizing a human-centered approach that focused on understanding the needs of displaced individuals, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing those solutions to refine and implement the most effective strategies.
As a result of this process, D4C developed a 3-in-1 solution with custom, adaptable, and modular furniture made from plastic crates and wooden planks. The same units could be repurposed to create:
Beds – Space-efficient, designed for comfort, privacy, personal space, and safety to maximize occupancy.Storage Units – Secure and user-friendly compartments to help Individuals organize and protect personal belongings. Seating Areas are multi-functional spaces that promote social connection and mental well-being within the shelter environment.