Civil war, drought, and famine have caused the displacement of several hundred thousand people over the last 15 years. Many, mostly from minority clans, sought refuge in the urban centres of the more stable northern regions of Somalia,and in Ethiopia and Kenya. The increased stability of Somaliland and northern Puntland appeals to returnees who, after years of exile, prefer the opportunities offered by the city over those offered by their rural areas of origin. This has resulted in the uncontrolled growth of numerous dense, un-serviced temporary settlements, which quickly evolved into chronic emergencies. The displaced are in most cases denied access to clean water, health facilities, proper shelter, protection, and security of tenure. They settle mostly on privately controlled land, as authorities have no legal framework to safeguard public land. “Landowners” only allow makeshift mobile structures without latrines and proper access. This document illustrates the opportunities of improving the lives of the di splaced through a joint intervention that addresses the shelter needs of the IDPs in the broader framework of sustainable urban development.