Safe rebuilding: a mixed approach to shelter response following the 2018 floods in Kenya

As part of the 2018 floods response, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) received funds from the Government of Kenya to implement a large-scale shelter intervention in 25 counties across the country using a mixed modality approach of cash and in-kind assistance. Although the use of cash for shelter interventions was new to KRCS, their extensive experience with cash assistance and having well-functioning markets in the targeted areas for the shelter programme suggested cash would be cheaper, faster, and easier to implement along with in-kind assistance, instead of purely in-kind delivery. Cash was provided to purchase materials such as sand and stones, as well as cover labour costs.

Using cash for shelter presented a range of risks and liabilities which have been assessed against cost-efficiency and choice for those receiving the cash grant. Before implementing the cash for shelter project, it has been important to reach clarity on how to use cash to ensure shelter needs of those affected by the crisis would be met, sufficient organisational capacity was in place and ensure that the lack of sector specific tools would not affect the success of the project.

This project has also shown the relevance and the potential of using a mixed approach that included the use of a Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA), cash and voucher assistance and the RedRose data management system to manage data of those receiving assistance and distribution of in-kind assistance.

To find out more about the implementation of this shelter recovery programme, you can read a case study on “Safe Rebuilding: A Mixed Approach to Shelter Response Following the 2018 Floods in Kenya” or watch:

• A short video on the “ICHA Shelter reconstruction process learning review” (2’21”) rel=”noopener noreferrer”
• The full version of the documentary film on the “ICHA Shelter reconstruction process learning review” (9’05”)