For 25 years, ShelterBox has provided shelter and assistance to people affected by disasters. Our approach combines emergency aid packages, cash assistance, and expertise in shelter construction.
Shelters need to be safe, durable, and effective. That’s why the three elements of collaboration, resilience, and training are at the forefront of everything we do.
Read on to discover the how these pillars, coupled with our approach, ensures we support vulnerable communities in times of crisis.
Working alongside vital partners MAP, SDF and PARC, ShelterBox is providing tents to people displaced in Gaza.
1. Collaboration with local and international partners
We work closely with local communities, governments, and international organisations, tailoring our response to the specific needs of each disaster. This collaboration ensures that solutions are relevant the specific needs of each community.
A key example of this was during the 2023 Morocco earthquake response. Here, collaboration with local communities was crucial.
Morocco Distributions, October 2023. ShelterBox supported thousands of people from around 20 different village communities. We provided emergency shelter and other essential items during the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake in Morocco.
After major earthquakes, weather patterns can be strange and unpredictable. Strong winds, storms, and rain are frequent, making the recovery even more challenging. We had to ensure that areas for tents were well prepared. Learn more about disasters here.
We trained local community representatives and cleared the ground underneath pitches. We then arranged tents with a specific layout. This ensured that tents could withstand cold winds, allow equal access to water and sanitation, and had a neighbourhood feel.
Equally, it’s important shelters are accessible for the people who live there. We therefore work with local communities to understand their needs. Learn more about our partners.
Here’s an example of our collaboration work in Somalia, where we adapted our approach to the needs of communities.
2. Training and Capacity Building
Training is an important component of our work. It ensures best practices are shared and implemented across other organisations.
ShelterBox and Islamic Relief Pakistan training session with community members, 2023.
Our team has trained representatives from many other organisations in shelter principles, safety, and security. This includes UNHCR (see the Shelter Cluster).
This means, collectively, we can respond to disasters effectively, innovatively, and appropriately. And we can scale up to meet rising needs.
3. Long-Term Resilience
Our long-term programmes focus on resilience and durable, lasting shelter options for communities. Our goal is to support people to construct shelters that withstand future disasters.
Tropical Storm Trami – Distributions. On October 24, 2024, Typhoon Trami brought two months’ worth of rain in a single day. This destroyed homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. The ShelterBox team in Cebu responded. We worked with local partners and local Rotary to support thousands of people with emergency shelter and supplies.
In the Philippines, for example, we provided shelter kits after Tropical Storm Trami. These included items like tools, tarpaulins, and corrugated iron sheeting. After providing effective materials, we trained partners and local carpenters. This helped people create shelters which are more resilient to extreme weather.
In conflict and climate-affected areas like Somalia, many remain unable to return to their homes for years – and sometimes decades.
Construction of mudbrick and cement plaster shelters in Somalia, 2024.
We provide durable shelters that could last for up to 15 years. These act as long-term shelters for those displaced.
Using different materials ensures shelters can withstand ongoing use and weathering over time. This helps make homes safe and stable, whilst also strengthening local communities’ ability to repair homes.
Long term shelters in Somalia, 2024.
Severe monsoon flooding in Pakistan left thousands of people with nowhere to live, one of those people was Ali. Ali and his wife photographed constructing their new shelter.
Our approach to disaster response focuses on collaboration with local and international partners. Training and working towards long-term resilience are at the forefront of what we do. This ensures we can effectively support vulnerable communities in times of crisis.
