Overview

• In this self-paced, interactive-video course, learners will step into the shoes of CCCM and Shelter practitioners tasked with addressing issues such as tenure verification (due diligence), property restitution for returnees and women’s access to land rights.
• Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, this interactive experience will equip you with valuable knowledge and skills necessary to effectively address HLP issues in emergency response and beyond.
• The course is organised in four modules: HLP Fundamentals, Security of Tenure, Returns and Property Restitution and Women’s Access to Property.

Description

Module 1: HLP Fundamentals

Who can give permission to use property for hosting the displaced? Making the wrong choice can raise the risk of further displacement and cause enormous harm. The stakes are high and time to conduct your investigation is limited. Don’t forget to click on the (!) spots in the dialogue boxes for further lessons.

How to play:

1. Click "Play" to start and watch the 1-minute "breaking news" video (note that there's no scrollbar to skip forward).

2. After the video ends, you'll find yourself in a first-person view of an office.

3. Read the email message to learn about your mission. Close the email and click on the "Back" button on the bottom left to return to the office.

4. There are 3 potential locations to relocate the IDPs. Click the map on the right wall to explore them.

5. Inside the options, choose how you want to investigate the property ownership of each location. Each "quest" will take half a day.

6. Monitor your progress on the calendar - you have two days to conduct the investigation before deciding where to relocate the displaced.

7. After completing the quests, select the best location for displaced families.

8. At the end, click on "Learn More" for further knowledge. When you are done, scroll down to continue to Module 2.

You only get positive outcome if you make the right choices. Good luck!

Module 2: Security of Tenure

Security of tenure is the degree of certainty that someone will be able to stay on and use their property, free from the threat of eviction. Knowing who owns which parts of the land is crucial to obtaining the right permissions to use the land.

Often the Government will claim to own a plot of land and give humanitarians permission to use it. But relying solely on the Government’s word can be risky.

Consult with other relevant sources, cross check and triangulate information for higher certainty, and click on the (!) spots in the dialogue boxes for further lessons.

How to play:

1. Click "Play" to start and watch the 1-minute intro video explaining the scenario (note that there's no scrollbar to skip forward).

2. After the video ends, you'll find yourself in a first-person view of an office.

3. Read the email message to learn about your mission. Close the email and click on the "Back" button on the bottom left to return to the office.

4. Click the map on the wall on the right and choose who you want to speak to. Each character will demand some of your time.

5. Don't forget to click on the (!) icons in the speech bubbles for extra lessons.

6. Monitor your progress on the calendar - you have five days to conduct the due diligence (verify who owns the land).

7. After running out of time, select the best approach to secure the land for the IDP site expansion.

8. At the end, click on "Learn More" for further knowledge. When you are done, scroll down to continue to Module 3.

You only get positive outcome if you make the right choice. Good luck!

Module 3: Returns and Property Restitution

When conflict subsides and people feel ready to return, they may find their properties occupied or destroyed. There are several measures that can be taken to mitigate the risk of HLP issues hindering return, but resources are limited.

Choose wisely and don’t forget to click on the (!) spots for further lessons.

How to play:

1. Click "Play" to start and watch the 1-minute intro video explaining the scenario (note that there's no scrollbar to skip forward).

2. After the video ends, read the Government Notice on the screen.

3. Read the email message to learn about your mission. Close the email and click on the "Back" button on the bottom left to return to the office.

4. Click the spreadsheet on the wall on the right and choose the HLP interventions you want to implement. Note that each has a cost and your budget is limited.

5. Click on the (?) in the spreadsheet to learn about the interventions.

6. Each intervention will require you to complete a number of activities. Click on the cards to complete them.

7. Don't forget to click on the (!) icons in the speech bubbles for extra lessons.

8. Monitor your expenses on balance in the bottom left corner. Your budget is limited to $30,000.

9. After exhausting your budget, you'll see the results of your choices.

10. At the end, click on "Learn More" for further knowledge. When you are done, scroll down to continue to Module 4.

Module 4: Women's Access to Property

Local custom often imposes barriers to women’s access to property. These barriers can be exacerbated in situations of displacement. In this module you be asked to help a displaced widow to recover her property by choosing effective arguments and strategies.

The clickable (!) spots in the dialogue boxes will provide further lessons.

How to play:

1. Click "Play" to start and watch the 1-minute intro video explaining the scenario (note that there's no scrollbar to skip forward).

2. After the video ends, you'll find yourself in a first-person view of an office.

3. Read the email message to learn about your mission. Close the email.

4. Click on the "Audio File" to hear the recording. Click on the correct notes to transfer them onto the notepad.

5. Once you are done, keep clicking on the "Continue" buttons and follow the instructions.

6. At the end, click on "Learn More" for further knowledge.

You only get positive outcome if you make the right choices. Good luck!

Relevance to IOM’s Emergency Operations

• Displacement, driven by factors such as conflicts, natural disasters, and large-scale development projects, leads to forced evictions and loss of access to housing, land, and property. This directly affects the living conditions, livelihoods, and long-term stability of millions of people worldwide.
• For IOM humanitarian emergency responders, understanding HLP issues is essential. Effective responses to displacement situations require addressing the root causes of HLP disputes and conflicts, which often contribute to the displacement itself. By addressing these underlying problems, IOM can help to promote durable solutions and prevent further displacement.
• Additionally, HLP knowledge enables IOM practitioners to better design and implement programs that support temporary shelter, relocation, and eventual return or resettlement of displaced populations. This knowledge helps to ensure that interventions are contextually appropriate and sensitive to the legal, social, and cultural aspects of HLP rights.
• Finally, by engaging with HLP issues, IOM emergency responders can collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as governments, local communities, and other humanitarian actors, to create more resilient communities and strengthen land governance systems. This contributes to long-term recovery and reduces the risk of future displacement events. In sum, a thorough understanding of HLP issues is crucial for IOM humanitarian practitioners to develop effective, holistic responses to displacement scenarios, ultimately enhancing the protection and well-being of affected populations.

Coordination

IOM is an active member of the HLP Area of Responsibility (AoR) under the Global Protection Cluster. IOM is the sole provider of technical assistance on HLP to the Global Shelter Cluster.

Contacts

For more information, please contact the Global Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Adviser: ilopes@iom.int.