Securing Tenure in Crises

The session examined the complexities surrounding housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in crisis contexts, emphasizing the significance of secure tenure throughout the stages of humanitarian response—from prevention to recovery. Aimed at engaging diverse stakeholders, the session addressed the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in ensuring access to HLP rights during and after crises. Discussions were structured around four key themes. The first breakout group explored climate-induced displacement, highlighting the impact of environmental changes on access to HLP rights. Three case studies showcased practical solutions, setting the stage for an interactive dialogue on how local communities, governments, and humanitarian actors can address these challenges. In the second breakout, the role of HLP rights as a protection measure in humanitarian programming was scrutinized, illustrating how the absence of secure tenure heightens risks for affected populations. This discussion spanned from emergency responses to long-term protective solutions in diverse contexts. The third breakout focused on the nexus between shelter interventions and tenure security, exploring methodologies for recording tenure in various shelter scenarios and assessing the feasibility of creating tenure records databases and housing stock inventories. The final breakout delved into land tenure issues in post-conflict and disaster settings, examining case studies from South Sudan and Mozambique. Participants engaged in scenario-based problem-solving, aiming to refine durable solutions for displaced populations. The session highlighted that secure HLP rights are fundamental to effective crisis response, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to ensure tenure security amid the complexities of crises and displacement.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.