Office of Displaced Designers

2024 focused on laying the groundwork for meaningful change. Since our restructure last year, we’ve worked behind the scenes to refine processes and ensure ODD operates ethically, transparently, and sustainably. This year has been about building solid foundations to set us up for impactful projects in 2025. Here are some highlights: Gaza: Rebuilding Home, Street + Neighbourhood [Cairo, Egypt] In February, we will launch the pilot workshop Gaza: Rebuilding Home, Street + Neighbourhood—an inspiring collaboration with Architects for Gaza and Global Free Unit. This initiative supports Gazan built environment students, teachers, and professionals displaced by conflict. With urgent recovery needs, this program imagines a reconstruction rooted in community practices, focusing on healing both land and people. In Cairo, participants will gather to reimagine a resilient future for Gaza and beyond. WorkWomen WorkShop [Izmir, Turkey] Launching in spring, this hands-on program equips displaced and marginalised women with DIY skills for household repairs. It fosters community-building, reduces isolation, and strengthens social ties while improving living conditions. This launch is the first step toward a larger construction skills training initiative. If you’re a woman in construction and want to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! Sharing Knowledge: Resources Library With support from volunteer researchers, we’re expanding our free, curated library of resources for architects and designers. These materials explore crises central to our work, highlight marginalised perspectives, and promote deeper understanding. Access the library here: [https://lnkd.in/dqTKk8Es] 2024 was about fortifying ODD’s foundations. By critically reviewing and strengthening internal systems, we’ve positioned ourselves for greater impact in 2025 and beyond. Though much of this work was behind the scenes, it sets the stage for tangible, transformative action. A Call to Action: We need your support to bring these projects to life. Donations of any size directly empower displaced communities and foster resilience. Together, we can create opportunities for growth and recovery. Donate today: [https://lnkd.in/dxv5TCp9] Thank you for standing with us during this year of preparation. We can’t wait to share 2025 with you—a year of action and impact. With gratitude, The ODD Team

The 8th Comprehensive Damage Assessment by United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) shows the destruction of Gaza as of 6th July 2024 visualising damage to 63% of all structures. UNEP-WCMC estimate it will take 15 years and $500 million to clear the rubble alone. The upcoming workshop in Cairo by Architects for Gaza, in collaboration with Office of Displaced Designers, Global Free Unit and hosted by Megawra Built Environment Collective, projects to a future Gaza that is rebuilt through local practices and expertise. Displaced Gazan students, academics and practitioners of built environment disciplines will convene to imagine a future that nurtures collective healing through homes, streets and neighbourhoods. Donate at https://lnkd.in/dNrn7erT

Since the start of the genocide in Gaza, over 40,000 people have been killed, approximately 2 million forcibly displaced and more than 60% of the built environment has been decimated. There is a great and urgent need to reimagine the transformation of Gaza. Whilst external support will be required, the decision-making power must remain firmly in the hands of Palestinians to ensure that recovery and reconstruction efforts are rooted in indigenous community practices centred on healing the land and its people. This authority must be secured, protected, and championed. Towards this goal, we are honoured to be supporting Sumud: Rebuilding Home, Street and Neighbourhood. This one month, credited-learning workshop brings together 60 Palestinian students, academics and practitioners to explore the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza through the lens of architecture and urban design. Please join us in supporting displaced Palestinians to build a brighter and more equitable future for #Gaza. https://lnkd.in/dSfSrvK3

Attention all change-makers and passionate individuals! Following our recent restructuring, Office of Displaced Designers is expanding its team and we want YOU to join us! We're thrilled to announce that we're recruiting for FOUR new fully remote volunteer roles! 🌟 Are you skilled in fundraising or grant writing? 🌟 Do you excel in social media management? 🌟 Are you eager to conduct research and develop our resources library? 🌟 Or perhaps you're a natural project coordinator? If you're ready to make a tangible impact supporting displaced and marginalised communities, we want to hear from you! As a valued volunteer, you'll enjoy: - Invaluable experience in the non-profit sector - A supportive work environment to develop your skills - A certificate of service recognising your dedication - A glowing reference for your future endeavours These roles offer ongoing opportunities, with a minimum commitment of just six weeks and part-time, flexible hours. Join our team of dedicated professionals in design, education, and social impact. Together, let's work towards a more inclusive and just society. Click the link below to learn more and apply today! https://lnkd.in/dAK9z8r2 ID: A glowing white neon sign against a brick wall reads “This is the sign you have been waiting for”. Next to it is a short text that reads “Volunteer with us!” Image by: Austin Chan

Yemen’s strategic location and attractive natural resources have been a curse for the region as global powers are locked in a seemingly never-ending battle for control of the abundant oil and gas available. For 129 years, Aden in the southern region was under direct British rule, until independence was won in 1967. In the decades following, Yemen was plagued by wars as local factions competed to assume the control left by the British. A bloody war that killed thousands in 1986 inspired southern leadership to seek unification with the north, creating Yemen as we know it today in 1990. Sadly, unification also failed to achieve its goals and another bitter war broke out in 1994. Today, the country is suffering a severe humanitarian crisis as the current nine year US-backed and Saudi-led war continues to enable the looting of Yemen’s resources. This war has killed more than 377,000 people, 70% of whom were children. 4.5 million people have been internally displaced and nearly half of the country, 14.5 million people, do not have enough food. The following resources aim to provide a way in to understanding the situation today and how you can support. But they also aim to present some of Yemen’s beauty and entrepreneurial spirit beyond the headlines of war. We hope you find them useful: https://lnkd.in/dcybvX8E Image by: Fahd Ahmed

Turkey’s prime location bridging Asia and Europe has put it at the centre of migration throughout history. Today, Turkey is host to the world’s largest displaced population of nearly four million people, the majority of whom (3.6 million) were forcibly displaced from Syria. In 2016, the EU-Turkey deal was introduced as a tool to discourage so-called “irregular” arrivals to Greece from Turkey and to essentially incentivise Turkey to police Europe’s borders. The deal has been widely criticised for failing to protect people seeking asylum, instead being weaponized for political gain. Since 2018, Turkish residents have been experiencing a worsening economic crisis with soaring inflation rates. In February last year a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 50,000 people and displaced (and re-displaced) hundreds of thousands. As local elections approach on 31st March, issues of displacement and the rights of people seeking safety are once again hotly contested. Learn more about the situation in Turkey and ways to support with our curated list of resources at: https://lnkd.in/d6M_E7uC #turkey #displacement #refugees ID: a woman wearing a white headscarf caries a small toddler. They pass in front of an earth red wall that has stick figures graffitied in black and patches of white plaster. The wall is in sunlight and shows the shadows of urban lighting and electric cables.