There are 65.3 million people displaced around the world, the highest ever recorded, according to the United Nations.
For over two decades, architect Shigeru Ban has been working with paper tubing and other improvised materials, and he told SBS it was a much better option than tents for displaced people.
“Paper is an industrial material; you can make water proof, fire proof easily," he said.
"Even this house was exposed in heavy rain in Sydney and nothing happening.”
Mr Ban, whose work focuses on humanitarian architecture, designed housing for displaced people in Rwanda after the civil war, and after earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador and Italy.
He said houses helped restore dignity to displaced people after a disaster, and that cardboard and local materials like bamboo were better options than tents.
“Normally the government they are not looking for the quality of living, but even for the temporary living it has to be more comfortable,” Mr Ban said.
Nai Jit Lim, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees regional representative, told SBS that providing housing was the most expensive part of the international body's work.
“We are always trying to strive for better housing and better shelter for refugees. Especially in the emergency phase as well,” he said.
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is using cardboard to create temporary housing Source: Supplied
“So any kind of new innovative ideas would always help refugees."
In 2014, Mr Ban was awarded the Pritzker Prize, the most prestigious award in modern architecture, for his body of work.
He said designing housing made him proud.
“Whether it is, even it is designing [a] house for rich people, or a temporary house for victims, I spend the same kind of energy and time,” he said.
“When people are happy moving into my house, they are very happy. And that is kind of the best moment I get”.
