Shelter Projects has become one of the humanitarian shelter sector’s leading knowledge resources, documenting lessons from shelter responses worldwide between 2008 and 2023. Originally developed by IFRC, UNHCR, and UN-Habitat before becoming a Global Shelter Cluster initiative, the publication aims to strengthen future humanitarian action by capturing experiences, learnings and evidence from shelter programmes. At a time when humanitarian shelter needs continue to exceed available resources, learning from past responses is essential to improve the quality, effectiveness, and reach of humanitarian assistance.

This special edition features the 33 case studies that the IFRC network has contributed from operations around the world. The projects span different scales, contexts, and response phases, supporting both displaced and non-displaced populations affected by disasters and crises. Authored by RCRC shelter practitioners and peer reviewed through a rigorous collaborative process with support from Oxford Brookes University, the publication distils key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, offering valuable insights for shelter and urban resilience practitioners seeking to strengthen future responses.