UNHCR-EPFL EssentialTech Center : Geneva Technical Hub

The Geneva Technical Hub (GTH) has been established to improve the lives of refugees, internally displaced persons and their host communities by enhancing the quality of technical programming in disaster risk reduction (DRR), energy, environment, shelter/housing, settlement planning, water, sanitation and hygiene. GTH brought together EPFL and expert humanitarian practitioners to find sustainable solutions for complex technical problems. EPFL's EssentialTech Centre has acted as the main focal point for finding appropriate technical support for UNHCR. Many projects were born during the past 4 years and allowed us to develop technologies to support shelter planning for refugees, explore clean-cooking devices, recycling of e-waste, and more.

UNHCR and EPFL develop tool for greener humanitarian operations

A a web-based tool to address environmental sustainability challenges in displacement settings has been developed to address the problem of displacement camps often straining natural resources, despite refugees contributing minimally to climate change. The tool simplifies the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on direct (Scope 1), indirect (Scope 2), and significant external (Scope 3) emissions from activities like energy use, waste management, and transportation. For example, in Kakuma, Kenya, the app helped evaluate emissions scenarios for water supply, offering actionable insights to reduce environmental impact.

This innovative solution supports UNHCR’s Strategic Framework for Climate Action, enabling informed, sustainable decision-making in humanitarian contexts. Watch the video

Sustainable Planning for Refugee Settlements

Refugee settlements often transition from temporary camps to long-term communities, impacting displaced populations and host communities. UNHCR collaborated with EPFL’s Laboratory of Urban Sociology to develop guidelines for sustainable settlement planning.

These guidelines emphasize social cohesion, participatory design, efficient infrastructure, and context-sensitive solutions. They also value resident-led modifications as culturally appropriate adaptations that foster resilience.

By addressing both technical and social factors, the principles aim to improve livelihoods, public services, and sustainability in refugee settlements, enabling them to evolve into stable and functional communities. Watch video

Sustainable Refugee Settlements: EPFL’s Role in Better Infrastructure

Refugee settlements often start as temporary solutions but can become long-term homes for millions. UNHCR works to ensure displaced populations have access to sustainable shelter and essential services, especially in climate-vulnerable areas.

EPFL’s Laboratory of Construction and Architecture (FAR Lab) developed a catalogue for sustainable humanitarian infrastructure, covering vital needs like drainage systems, roads, and retaining walls. This helps improve living conditions while minimizing environmental impact.

In collaboration with EPFL’sIT4Research Unit, UNHCR also launched a web app to evaluate different shelter designs. The app calculates key factors like environmental impacts, habitability, and affordability, helping decision-makers choose the best solutions for refugee settlements. Watch video

These tools support better, climate-resilient shelter planning, ensuring sustainable, efficient solutions for displaced communities.

We owe the success of these to our partner labs at EPFL and would like to warmly thank the professors and labs who get all the credits for their work and dedication: Florian Breider GR-CEL, Corentin Fivet SXL, Edgar Gnansounou, Yves Pedrazzini LASUR, André Ullal and Paolo Tombesi FAR, Charlotte Weil IT4R and Michael Aklin PASU.