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< back Date of completion: 1 Jul 2023 Urban rooftop garden in Al-Buriej Refugee Camp Growing food gardens on rooftops in Gaza, showcasing urban growing in places with limited access to land. In partnership with Re-Alliance, GUPAP aimed to provide a pilot project in Buriej Refugee Camp, Gaza, which lacked agricultural and green places. This project aimed at promoting urban rooftop gardens in refugee camps in order to encourage urban agriculture, and food sovereignty. It was also a wellbeing activity, reminding the families of their lands in the occupied state of Palestine. Moreover, the project allows resident refugees to secure food in the face of poor economic conditions and a lack of humanitarian aid. Through this intervention, building a pilot rooftop garden on the residential unit, designing a roof garden, and an irrigation system, where the design was chosen based on the available house space, the design also took into account that there should be a small greenhouse for growing summer plants during the winter, and agriculture open spaces for seasonal crops, as well as adding the technique of planting pipes to exploit the walls and increase the green space. Thus, an entire family, with an average of 20 members, obtained a financial return that represented self-sufficiency in food and saved the cost of buying vegetables and transportation. Within the framework of this activity, GUPAP supported 20 people who were negatively affected by the economic situation of Gaza City. providing agricultural basics also contributed to increasing the green area and reducing solid waste. It is with great sadness that we say, when the Israeli military invaded and bombarded Gaza from October 2023, this project was destroyed. Re-Alliance wishes to express solidarity with all the women of Gaza who created roof gardens for themselves, their families, and their communities. We hope for a time of peace and freedom when the seeds that are planted are allowed to flourish.

< Back Mary Mellett Research, Content & Compliance Lead Mary has a background working for community groups and charities, including homeless charities, community facilities provision and neighbourhood planning projects. After studying Architecture and Planning at Bristol UWE, she has used the skills learnt to help support groups with their varied needs including website maintenance, group liaison, finances and grant applications.

< back Date of completion: 1 Mar 2023 Building Treebogs in Kakuma Refugee Settlement FHE built several twin Treebog composting toilets in Kakuma Refugee Settlement. These are raised composting toilets which feed 'humanure' directly to perennial plant roots. A Treebog, designed by Permaculturist Jay Abrahams from Biologic Design, is a raised composting drop toilet which directly feeds into tree roots. It is a regenerative sanitation system that converts human waste (urine, faeces, and wiping paper) into biomass with minimal secondary handling. By using moisture-loving trees, shrubs, and bushes planted around the compost pile, the Treebog system uses natural resources to reduce odours and feed the composting process with necessary carbon-rich material. Re-Alliance’s partner Farming & Health Education implemented this project in Kakuma Refugee Settlement, Kenya. They were concerned that the secondary handling of human waste can be a significant health barrier in camps and settlements. Whereas with Treebogs, toilets are only emptied after the contents have fully decomposed due to the twin-pit system. The core goal of this project was to install a double-unit Treebogs for the community and convert everyday toilet wastes into fertile compost, and measure to see how long it takes to fill the system, and then for the humanure to naturally degrade. The unique aspect to Treebogs is that while the contents are composting, they are feeding the roots of trees, giving the double benefits of tree growth with compost production. The project included teaching communities how to manage the Treebog system. This involved instructing on the daily use of the Treebog toilets, and what to plant around Treebogs. It's important to only plant perennial plants such as trees, and not annual plants, to avoid interacting with the soil around the Treebog. This Treebog project involved 70 participants, whose attitudes toward ecological sanitation shifted from negative (primarily because of a perception that composting toilets would be smelly or dirty) to highly positive after experiencing the Treebog system. This effective implementation created a viable, regenerative WASH system and a valuable biological resource. Ecologically, the system’s soil quality rapidly improved, becoming noticeably darker and richer. Trees around the Treebog grew up to two times faster than those not around the Treebog, as a result of the influx of organic matter and water directly feeding their roots. Existing Treebogs serve as powerful working examples. The Re-Alliance team are eager to further test this concept to see whether it is viable for full-scale use across camps and settlements. You can find out more about Treebogs in this publication .

This picture-led booklet advises on seasonal food growing in refugee camps, made by Re-Alliance's partner SOILS Permaculture Association - Lebanon, in partnership with German Development Cooperation - GIZ, Mercy Corps, and the World Food Program. Translated from the original Arabic with permission from SOILS Permaculture Association - Lebanon. < Back Seasonal Food Growing in Refugee Settlements This picture-led booklet advises on seasonal food growing in refugee camps, made by Re-Alliance's partner SOILS Permaculture Association - Lebanon, in partnership with German Development Cooperation - GIZ, Mercy Corps, and the World Food Program. Translated from the original Arabic with permission from SOILS Permaculture Association - Lebanon. Donate to Re-Alliance Stay updated with our newsletter Download for free: English, Arabic & Greek

A literature analysis examining the extent to which existing guidelines on camp management offer a regenerative approach in settlement design, shelter design, food growing and water and WASH. Includes recommendations for the production of future regenerative guidelines. < Back Testing Regenerative Design guidelines for Refugee Camps and Settlements A literature analysis examining the extent to which existing guidelines on camp management offer a regenerative approach in settlement design, shelter design, food growing and water and WASH. Includes recommendations for the production of future regenerative guidelines. Donate to Re-Alliance Stay updated with our newsletter Download for free: English

This illustrated guide explores how to build and maintain a urine-diversion composting toilet called an Ecosan, which captures nutrient-rich urine for plant fertiliser, and human manure for use in farming. < Back Ecosans: Toilets in a Barrel This illustrated guide explores how to build and maintain a urine-diversion composting toilet called an Ecosan, which captures nutrient-rich urine for plant fertiliser, and human manure for use in farming. Donate to Re-Alliance Stay updated with our newsletter Download for free: English Español Français عربي Swahili

A study looking at the impact of new and previously established gardens in Cox's Bazar refugee camps on people's well-being and nutrition, as well as the costs and benefits of the different approaches used. < Back Growing in Crisis: The costs, benefits and transformative potential of food growing in Cox's Bazar A study looking at the impact of new and previously established gardens in Cox's Bazar refugee camps on people's well-being and nutrition, as well as the costs and benefits of the different approaches used. Donate to Re-Alliance Stay updated with our newsletter Download for free: English

< Back Ruth Andrade Chair of the Trustee Board Ruth has more than 10 years of experience in environmental project management and development in the business sector and two decades experience in education. In the last 10 years, Ruth has been involved in community development, sustainable livelihoods, collaborative project design and participatory governance processes. Ruth’s focus is in building and energising networks to create a bridge between industrial growth and a new culture that can sustain complex life on the planet. Ruth gives her time to designing, developing, testing and learning strategies, patterns and worldviews that can support this new flourishing culture. She has an MSc in Advanced Environment and Energy Studies.

< Back Batata Boris-Kaloff Correspondent Batata Boris-Kaloff is a skillful storyteller who uses multi-media to report issues around environmental and humanitarian themes. Trained in the department of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Buea, Boris-Kaloff Batata has been practicing as Journalist for close to a decade. He currently serves as a Journalist and Station Manager of CBS radio Buea. Boris-Kaloff has volunteered his storytelling skills for some international media platforms including Planet Forward and Global Voices and has trained dozens of Youths and Journalist on Fact Checking, combatting hate speech and impact storytelling. His passion and professionalism have earned him several recognitions and awards both locally in Cameroon and internationally. He recently worn the Best Radio Journalist Award for 2024 Organized by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association (CENPA) also won The Human Rights and Humanitarian Reporter of the year in 2021 and 2023 at the Victoria International Media Merrit Award given by the Cameroon Association of Media Professionals (CAMP) amongst other recognitions. Boris-Kaloff has attended several professional training programs and fellowship around his field. The most recent is the CNN Academy Fellowship and the Journalism AI Academy fellowship.

< back Date of completion: 1 May 2024 Building Wicking Beds in Tongogara Building water-saving growing beds in a water-scarce refugee settlement. From November 2023 to May 2024, Re-Alliance partnered with the Fambidzani Permaculture Centre (FPC) and the Transformative Innovative Hub (TIH) to build wicking beds in the Tongogara Refugee Camp. The project introduced wicking bed technology to address water scarcity, aiming to improve the community’s nutrition and health through access to fresh vegetables. A wicking bed is a garden bed design that uses capillary action to draw water from the base of the bed, making it perfect for maximum water efficiency in arid climates. By placing a reservoir of water at the bottom, fed through a tube, moisture is drawn upward directly to the plant roots. This ‘wicking’ process ensures plants receive consistent hydration while significantly minimising evaporation. In hot and dry climates, a large percentage of water can be lost to evaporation, so simple designs to maximise water use is ideal. The project engaged 75 residents and provided comprehensive training on the construction and maintenance of diverse wicking bed models. Following the workshops, participants successfully installed their own home-based wicking beds and harvested a wide range of crops, including spinach, rapeseed, tomatoes, and onions. The wicking beds enabled participants to reduce water consumption by more than 50% compared to conventional beds. An FPC survey showed that a single 60-litre reservoir could sustain a garden for an entire week, offering a buffer against the region’s frequent droughts. Beyond water resilience, the project integrated Permaculture training, empowering residents to shift from expensive, toxic chemicals to nature-inspired and organic methods of growing. For long-term success, the initiative has evolved to focus on growing the health of soil. Drawing on lessons from the implementation in Tongogara, the team recognised that using locally made compost, and empowering communities to be self-sufficient, are vital to community resilience. Re-Alliance worked with Fambidzanai to develop a 'how-to' guide on developing wicking beds, which you can download below.

Authored by Simon Watkins and Paul Bröker, this review surveys existing guidance and practice relevant to humanitarian settlement planning, with a focus on how far current approaches support regenerative outcomes. It maps key tools and standards, identifies gaps in coverage, and frames critical questions for agencies, practitioners, and communities. < Back Humanitarian Settlement Planning: A Review Authored by Simon Watkins and Paul Bröker, this review surveys existing guidance and practice relevant to humanitarian settlement planning, with a focus on how far current approaches support regenerative outcomes. It maps key tools and standards, identifies gaps in coverage, and frames critical questions for agencies, practitioners, and communities. Donate to Re-Alliance Stay updated with our newsletter Download for free: English

Support Re-Alliance Help Re-Alliance to showcase a new, regenerative vision for the Humanitarian and Development sectors Donate Contact us Thank you very much for your interest in supporting Re-Alliance. With your donation, we can continue our integral work of convening, supporting and showcasing innovative regenerative solutions to humanitarian challenges and development interventions. We work through four interconnected core areas: The Learning work-stream supports the creation and sharing of practical, accessible learning resources. These materials are made in partnership with our members with lived experience of the issues, and are designed to serve both community-based practitioners and humanitarian organisations. Through guides, courses and peer learning learning spaces, we help regenerative approaches become more widely understood, trusted and applied in crisis and recovery contexts. 📖 Support the Learning Fund, here . The Innovation work-stream enables practitioners and communities to trial, research and refine regenerative practices in humanitarian contexts. Working alongside our partners, we support the experimentation and reflection from implementing small or larger scale innovations, always with in integrated regenerative perspective. Through the Innovation work-stream, we showcase how locally-rooted solutions can inform wider systems and policies. 🌀 Support the Innovation Fund, here . The Storytelling work-stream supports grassroots practitioners to share their stories in participatory and meaningful ways. Through our network of community correspondents and media spaces, we help ensure that the voices, experiences and wisdom of those most affected by crisis are heard, valued and able to help influence change. 🎥 Support the Storytelling Fund, here . Alongside these core areas of work, we have a support and facilitation circle which focuses on nurturing the movement. This includes supporting peer connection, growing partnerships, and holding the facilitation of Re-Alliance. We see this as tending to the soil of Re-Alliance, which allows our programmes and partnerships to grow. It's essential work, but often underfunded. If you would like to support us in a flexible and unrestricted way, please contact us or donate through our flexible fund here. 🤝 Support the whole of Re-Alliance's work, here . Feel free to contact us if you would like to transfer directly into our bank account, or for larger donations. Re-Alliance is an international network, and is registered as a UK charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number: 1188936) . Donate Contact us Organisational Sponsorship Are you part of an ecologically minded for-profit organisation? We would love to discuss sponsorship and partnership opportunities with you. We offer training and webinars on Permaculture, regenerative design and other topics for staff of organisations who sponsor Re-Alliance. Sponsors will also receive invitations to our invite-only bi-monthly webinars. We are also grateful to organisations who choose to recommend Re-Alliance on a staff Payroll Giving or pay-as-you-earn donation scheme. Please contact us for more information. Other ways of supporting Re-Alliance Re-Alliance and our members gratefully welcomes other support and volunteering. Re-Alliance works with writers, researchers, film-makers, artists and many others to collate and present high quality information about regenerative design in the humanitarian and development fields. We would be happy to work with you. Re-Alliance is also able to work with Masters and PhD researchers, and many of our members are happy to accommodate with research work. Thank you again, and we look forward to partnering with you. Donate Contact us