Within camp populations, certain groups of persons may have specific needs. In order to provide assistance and protection in line with their needs, it is important that all stakeholders are aware of what these needs are. Individuals, within or outside these groups, may be at heightened risk compared to other camp residents.
The Camp Management Agency must mainstream the protection of persons with specific needs (PWSN) throughout their coordination, information management, monitoring of services, maintenance of infrastructure and closure of camps. The Camp Management Agency has a major role to play in the recognition and equal access of PWSN to services and social life in the camp, without discrimination and stigma.
The Camp Management Agency should ensure that the registration/profiling and mapping systems record disaggregated data on age, gender and vulnerabilities so as to identify PWSN at the earliest stages of entering in the site and throughout the camp life cycle.
Participatory assessments and the participation of all groups in the camp will help determine which particular groups may have specific needs and assist in providing appropriate protection.
Displacement usually leads to the breakdown of community support structures that would ordinarily care for PWSN. All planning and programmes should integrate the concerns of these groups, by supporting existing coping mechanisms where possible, or by developing alternative interventions.
The Camp Management Agency should ensure that camp lay-out and infrastructure is adapted to PWSN, and that these individuals and groups live close to services provided at water points, distribution areas, clinics and office areas. This will facilitate their access and participation, as well as their protection. Special attention is needed in situations of natural disasters where provision of safe physical space may be challenging.
The Camp Management Agency should coordinate with other sectors to ensure that a combination of community- based activities and individual case management systems are put in place to identify and respond to the specific protection needs of persons at heightened risk.
