Celebrating 20+ Years of ShelterBox
Read on to see how it all began and take a look at what you’ve helped us achieve.
20 years of ShelterBox
2020 marks 20 years of ShelterBox
ShelterBox was founded in the small town of Helston, Cornwall UK, by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in 2000.
Now 20 years later, with global Rotary support, ShelterBox has developed into an independent, international disaster relief organisation, providing emergency shelter, tools and other essentials so families can rebuild after disaster.
In that time, we have supported over 1.5 million people with emergency shelter aid and other essential items and training to help recovery after disaster.
We have supported over 1.5 million people with emergency shelter in 97 countries across the world – from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
We have responded in The Philippines more than any other country, at 27 times since 2004. That’s why we launched ShelterBox Operations Philippines.
Our work in Syria is our largest and longest running response. We have been working there since 2012 and have helped over 250,000 people (50,000 households or ‘families’) so far.
SHELTERBOX FOUNDED
ShelterBox was founded in the small town of Helston, Cornwall UK, by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard.
Gujarat earthquake support
Amazing local support in Cornwall meant people in India who lost their homes in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake were the first to be supported by the newly formed ShelterBox.
Afghanistan and Angola conflict
Families affected by conflict in Afghanistan and Angola were supported with tents and other essential shelter aid items. ShelterBox takes the first steps to going global when ShelterBox USA was formed and adopted as a project of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Florida.
ShelterBox Australia is formed
ShelterBox Australia was formed, further growing worldwide support from Rotarians and others around the world. With their help, ShelterBox was to grow and help people affected by disaster in six countries around the world.
Boxing Day Tsunami
ShelterBox helped Indonesian communities after the Boxing Day Tsunami. The incredible surge of support for the families affected by this huge disaster also allowed ShelterBox to help people in many more disasters. ShelterBox Volunteer Response Teams were introduced.
Signatory to Red Cross Code of Conduct
Still working to support families affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami, ShelterBox becomes a signatory to Red Cross Code of Conduct signing up to 10 core principles of humanitarian response and good conduct.
ShelterBox Germany and New Zealand formed and a royal visit
Rotaractors in Germany formed ShelterBox Germany and Rotarians created ShelterBox New Zealand. Her Majesty The Queen Consort praised our work whilst visiting disaster-affected families in Pakistan.
500,000 people supported
Thanks to our incredible supporters, Jagedeo Argairiya, a mother affected by flooding in Nepal, becomes the 500,000th person to be supported by ShelterBox. Her Majesty The Queen Consort becomes President of ShelterBox.
50th country helped
Our work supporting people in the Democratic Republic of Congo marked the 50th country ShelterBox has worked in. ShelterBox France was formed by Rotarians.
Three new affiliates formed
Rotarians mobilised once again to form ShelterBox Switzerland, ShelterBox Netherlands and ShelterBox Norway.
Haiti Earthquake
After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, with help from our amazing supporters, ShelterBox provided shelter for 28,000 families – we launched our biggest response to date. With the help of Rotarians, ShelterBox affiliates were formed in Canada, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Philippines and South Africa.
Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami
Support was provided to communities after the Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
Helping families and communities in Syria
We helped families fleeing the war in Syria, and we have been supporting communities in the region ever since – it is our longest running response. ShelterBox becomes Rotary International’s first Project Partner for disaster relief.
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
Our teams worked to support people after Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. ShelterBox Sweden formed.
Delivery of aid to Gaza
ShelterBox negotiated the delivery of aid to families like Mohammed’s in war-torn Gaza.
Nepal Earthquake
Our teams created a large scale response for families like Surya’s after the Nepal earthquake. We also started to help people like Esther fleeing Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Crisis and we are still supporting communities in the region today. We reached the milestone of supporting 1 million people in 2015.
Supporting families after cyclone Winston
After Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, our teams worked to support families like Diane and Yokimi’s. We began supporting people affected by the Mosul offensive, a response that lasted for three years.
Hurricane Irma + Rohingya crisis support
Our teams supported families like Yanira’s after Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, and Guljar’s during the Rohingya crisis, as well as 12 other countries.
Earthquake, tsunami and tropical storm support
After the Sulawesi Indonesia, earthquakes and tsunami, we supported families like Ertis’s. Having responded in the Philippines more frequently than any other country, with the help of local Rotarians and Rotary Clubs we opened ShelterBox Operations Phillipines, helping us to move quickly when Tropical Storm Usman hit.
Cyclone Idai + 250,000 helped in Syria
Support provided to families like Stephano and Mary’s after Cyclone Idai in Malawi. We also reached the milestone of helping over 250,000 people in Syria. We extended our partnership with Rotary International, to continue as partners in action, increasing reach and impact around the globe.
find out more
The ShelterBox founding story
In 2000, the idea for ShelterBox was hit upon by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in Cornwall, when Rotary encouraged members to come up with projects to mark the Millennium.
20 Years of Shelter gallery
Explore the gallery of images from some of the most memorable responses in our 20-year history.
Our history
Explore a timeline of our biggest responses and defining moments over the last 20 years
Historic disaster responses
Since 2000, we have responded to a number of major disasters that shook whole countries and their people. Have a look at some of the most memorable ShelterBox disaster responses.
QUIZ: 20 years of ShelterBox
Take the quiz to learn about some of the most memorable responses in our history.