Making a Home, Building a Community: Community-led Settlement Manual Northern Shan and Kachin, Myanmar

This manual aims to capture the knowledge and experiences from the long-standing engagement of Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS) in providing vital humanitarian and shelter & settlement assistance to displaced populations in Myanmar. In particular, the manual aims to document the learnings from the KMSS community-led pilot project implemented from 2019-2020 in Kachin state. The study also provides an example and methodology that can be adapted to other settlement contexts.

These learnings are especially relevant as displaced communities are increasingly looking to leave camps to return to their original villages, or relocate to areas where they can better pursue livelihoods opportunities, access services and ensure safe, secure environment for their families. Some of these communities have approached KMSS and partner organizations for assistance in their livelihoods and settlement efforts. Thus, this manual aims to provide guidance to KMSS and partner organizations’ program staff and community leaders on how to facilitate and support community-led settlement programming. 

CRS has partnered with KMSS to share this experience and learning based on close partnership and collaboration in humanitarian efforts. A faith based social network at the service of the Catholic Church of Myanmar, KMSS has been consistently recognized by the communities it serves and other humanitarian stakeholders as a leading organization with the aspiration and ability to deliver sustainable community-based, integrated programming at scale.