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4.2 Clothes & household NFIs

NFIs are the most common initial emergency shelter response and to be effective should be distributed as soon as possible. Depending on the needs assessment a General Household Support Package might include:

  • Clothes – especially in cold climates, or if winter is approaching
  • Bedding – sheets, blankets, mattresses, mosquito nets
  • Cooking sets
  • Kitchen utensils
  • Buckets and jerry cans
  • Fuel

This is likely to complement, but should not overlap, a hygiene kit and/or a dignity kit that would normally be distributed by the WASH sector. Beware, for instance, duplication of jerry cans and mosquito nets, and ensure that distribution of these items is supported with the necessary hygiene promotion/training on proper use (e.g. jerry can cleaning). If advice is needed on jerry can or mosquito net specifications this can be obtained from the CI Emergency WASH Team – in particular it is important to follow SPHERE guidance on water containers, and to invest in Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated mosquito nets.  It could also be combined with the hygiene kit to simplify logistics and reduce the number of distributions.

A NFI kit might also include tarpaulins and rope. Two 6 x 4m tarpaulins and 30m 6mm rope per household is considered to be standard.

NFI Technical Working groups are normally set up within the national shelter cluster fora to discuss the technical aspects, specifications and adaptation of standard kits to the local preferences and needs in consultation with all sector partners.

For much more on NFIs see:

http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/95759/D.03.a.04.%20NFIs%20for%20Shelter_IASC.pdf