Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development: Ensuring Safe and Durable Infrastructure for Displaced Populations
Introduction/Overview
In refugee settings, infrastructure is often vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including floods, storms, and other extreme weather events. This can result in significant risks to the safety, health, and well-being of displaced populations.
Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC) addresses these challenges by supporting the development of climate-resilient infrastructure designed to withstand the increasing threats posed by climate change. Our efforts focus on constructing flood-resistant housing, storm shelters, resilient water supply systems, and other critical infrastructure to ensure that refugee communities are protected from the effects of a changing climate.
This approach aligns with key international frameworks:
Global Compact on Refugees (2018): Emphasizing the need for sustainable infrastructure development to enhance the safety and resilience of refugee communities.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11): Aiming to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, including in refugee settings.
Paris Agreement (2015): Supporting infrastructure development that increases the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate impacts.
A Vision for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
At RefPIC, we envision refugee settlements that are equipped with infrastructure designed to withstand the impacts of climate change. Our goal is to build sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure that provides refugees with safe and secure living conditions, even in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
By focusing on long-term solutions, we aim to reduce the vulnerability of refugee communities and create environments where they can thrive despite the changing climate.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development
RefPIC’s approach to climate-resilient infrastructure development involves collaboration with engineers, architects, local governments, and refugee communities to design and implement infrastructure that is tailored to the specific environmental risks of each region.
We focus on building structures and systems that enhance safety, provide reliable access to essential services, and are adaptable to the evolving impacts of climate change.
Key components of our Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development include:
Flood-Resistant Housing: RefPIC constructs housing that is designed to withstand floods and other extreme weather events. This includes elevated homes, reinforced structures, and drainage systems that protect refugees from floodwaters.
Storm Shelters and Safe Spaces: We build storm shelters and other safe spaces to protect refugees from high winds, heavy rains, and other severe weather conditions. These shelters are strategically located within refugee settlements to ensure easy access during emergencies.
Resilient Water Supply Systems: RefPIC develops water supply systems that are designed to be resilient in the face of climate change. This includes rainwater harvesting systems, solar-powered water pumps, and other technologies that ensure a reliable water supply even in drought-prone areas.
Sustainable Energy Solutions: In addition to water and housing infrastructure, RefPIC integrates renewable energy solutions such as solar panels and wind turbines to provide clean, reliable energy in refugee settlements. These solutions reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Climate-Adapted Sanitation Infrastructure: We build sanitation systems that are designed to function in diverse and changing climates, ensuring that refugees have access to safe and hygienic facilities regardless of weather conditions.
Why Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development Matters
Climate-resilient infrastructure is essential for safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of refugee populations. Refugee camps and settlements are often located in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as coastal zones, floodplains, and arid regions. Without resilient infrastructure, these communities face increased risks from extreme weather events, including flooding, heatwaves, and storms.
By constructing infrastructure that is designed to withstand these challenges, RefPIC helps ensure that refugees can live in safe, dignified conditions, even in the face of environmental hazards.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Initiatives
As climate change continues to intensify, RefPIC is committed to expanding its efforts to develop climate-resilient infrastructure in refugee communities around the world. Our focus is on scaling up successful infrastructure projects, incorporating innovative designs and technologies, and working closely with local stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure solutions are sustainable and responsive to the needs of refugees.
Through our Triple Nexus Approach—which integrates humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—RefPIC ensures that infrastructure development is not only resilient but also contributes to the long-term stability and self-sufficiency of refugee communities.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in developing climate-resilient infrastructure include:
Protecting Refugees from Climate Impacts: Ensuring that refugee communities are equipped with housing, shelters, and essential services that can withstand the effects of climate change.
Reducing Vulnerability: Building infrastructure that reduces the risks associated with extreme weather events, such as flooding, storms, and droughts.
Enhancing Safety and Security: Providing refugees with safe, secure living environments that allow them to rebuild their lives in the face of climate-related challenges.
Promoting Sustainability: Integrating renewable energy and water-saving technologies into infrastructure projects to ensure that solutions are environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient.
Building Long-Term Resilience: Developing infrastructure that not only addresses immediate climate risks but also strengthens the long-term resilience of refugee communities to future environmental challenges.
How We Deliver Impact Flood-Resistant Housing:
RefPIC designs and builds homes that are elevated and reinforced to protect refugees from floodwaters, ensuring that their living spaces remain safe and secure during extreme weather events.
Storm Shelters: We construct storm shelters that provide safe havens for refugees during storms, high winds, and other severe weather conditions, helping to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Resilient Water Supply Systems: RefPIC implements water systems that can withstand droughts and other climate-related challenges, ensuring refugees have reliable access to clean water.
Sustainable Energy Solutions: Our projects incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, providing clean energy to refugee communities and reducing environmental impact.
Sanitation Infrastructure: We develop climate-adapted sanitation facilities that function effectively in diverse weather conditions, ensuring that refugees have access to hygienic services year-round.
Who Benefits
Refugees: Refugees benefit from safer living conditions, reduced vulnerability to extreme weather events, and access to essential services like clean water and sanitation.
Host Communities: Host communities also benefit from the development of resilient infrastructure, which can be shared and integrated into the broader local context.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from scalable models of climate-resilient infrastructure development that can be replicated in other refugee settings.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development: Advocate for the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure in refugee communities.
Volunteer: Contribute your expertise to help RefPIC expand its infrastructure development initiatives.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to develop and implement climate-resilient infrastructure projects for displaced persons.
Donate: Your contributions help fund essential infrastructure projects that protect refugees from the impacts of climate change.