Housing Displaced People

As the world becomes more populated, housing becomes an issue. Space and resources dwindle as well. Countries and individual groups begin to fight over the land and resources. This leads to the destruction of many people’s homes and communities. Over 60 million people worldwide are considered displaced due to conflict or natural disasters. In The Heart and the Fist, families in areas such as Rwanda and Bosnia were ripped apart. Children were left without parents or stable homes. These kids have little hope to better their lives. With the help of technological innovations, this problem should be easily resolved.

Children in Bosnia

What these displaced people need is efficient, cost friendly housing. The housing should be low maintenance but still provide a sense of home and community. These housing communities need to have a center for kids to congregate. The center will provide a sense of stability and normality for the kids in refugee camps. There will be a learning center and a rec center where people can meet up. The sense of community will help the morale of the refugees.

A cost efficient housing solution could be EverBlock. EverBlock is a Lego like building material that is a very easy to transport and distribute. It can be built into any type of housing. The blocks can be taken down and be built into something else if needed. This allows housing to be versatile and simple. For example, in The Heart and the Fist, Eric Greitens visited many places with insufficient housing for displaced people. People in Rwanda were unable to build a home. With EverBlock, the people in Rwanda would be able to construct housing and build a community. EverBlock could be the solution to housing for displaced people.

EverBlock

There may be possible consequences to EverBlock. For instance, EverBlock’s stability may be in question. It is made of light weight plastic and has no foundation. People could even break it down and steal the blocks. However, rebar can be used as stability or as foundation in the blocks. The rebar would also make it harder to steal. Also, its durability could be affected by the environment. The plastic may become weak due to the sun’s harmful rays. Another problem could be the cost. Each 12” x 6” block cost about $7.25. Each shelter would require about a 1000 blocks. Therefore, the shelter would cost around $7,250 each without utilities. Yet, it would require very little maintenance and can be reused. Even though EverBlock has some flaws, its potential benefits outweigh the consequences.

Example of Housing

EverBlock is a solid solution to housing for displaced people. It would allow refugees to have a place to call home and build a normal family life. The kids will be able to have a supportive family and community despite their tough situation. They will develop hope and dream to better their lives outside these camps. The families and children in Rwanda and Bosnia would be better off with cost efficient housing, such as EverBlock. Hopefully, EverBlock can reduce the number of displaced people from 60 million to less than 20 million.