The Camp Management Project is an inter-agency
effort to improve the management of camps for the displaced. The shortcomings
and often lack of coherence in camp management, particularly with respect
to camps for internally displaced persons, had been evident for some time.
This was emphasised by a report undertaken by UNHCR/Save the Children-UK
in 2002, manifesting sexual exploitation of camp residents by humanitarian
agencies in West Africa. As a response, a small Inter-Agency Working Group,
comprised of the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee,
OCHA, UNHCR and the Sierra Leone government's National Commission for Social
Action (NaCSA), came together in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to start the work
on enhancing camp management.
The group focused on mapping key areas of
camp management responsibilities; identifying good practices and reviewing
lessons learnt in camp situations. The aim was to develop a comprehensive
overview of the camp management role, but also to provide practical and
reference tools - as well as literature - to support managers in their
daily work. There are also links to various organisations, networks etc.
The data gathered became the first draft
of the Camp Management Toolkit, which was sent out for field-testing late
2003 in Liberia, Sierra Leone and partly in Angola. The results from the
field-testing have been returned to NRC who coordinates the project, and
feedback has been incorporated in the second version of the Camp Management
Toolkit. Meanwhile, the Danish Refugee Council has joined the project.
The Camp Management Toolkit, which can be
downloaded on www.nrc.no/camp,
comprises 18 chapters. The aim is to have this second draft field-tested.
We would welcome your comments as well (including additional tools). An
updated version of the Toolkit will be published later on.
Training in camp management will be a top
priority from the autumn 2004 on.
If you have any questions, please, contact
the Camp Management Project at: camp@nrc.no