Kasia Friedrich

“Displaced - design for humanitarian aid”
ECAL Memoir - Research Master Thesis by @adam__friedrich

Displacement is a growing global crisis, affecting over 120 million people worldwide. While humanitarian aid usually focuses on supporting organisations and policies, everyday objects that shape the lives of displaced people often go unnoticed. What items are supplied, organised, purchased, designed or made from scratch to provide relief and support in the extreme reality of displacement? While humanitarian agencies only procure necessary survival objects, how can long-term needs be met?

The role of the designers in the context of crisis is significant but requires sensitivity and awareness. The widespread saviour complex often results in solutions prioritising visibility over real impact. Instead, aid efforts must move toward collaboration and co-creation, acknowledging refugees as active participants rather than passive recipients.

By embracing co-creation, learning from grassroots initiatives, and shifting toward a more thoughtful and participatory model, humanitarian design – if understood correctly – can encourage meaningful and effective solutions.

Research and writing: @adam__friedrich

Guided by: @anniina.koivu , @brynjarsigurdarson , @paula_muehlena

Editorial Design: @kasiafriedrich

Font used: Giela by @xleetype

Photography: @elisa.hampe

Special thanks for help and collaboration to: @unitednations , @refugees Valeria Dell’Aquila, Kim Colin (@industrialfacility ), Marc Fawe, Kasia Friedrich, @amandinegini , @coca.colia , @anniina Koivu, Xiang-Xiang Lee, @jonmarshalll ,Paula Mühlena, @mateo_rossirolando , Brynjar Sigurdarson, @tynnatynna , @ecal_ch , @ecal_design ,
@pentagramdesign