Our Coronavirus Response

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, shelter saves lives

Discover how we are working to help people protect themselves in dangerously crowded camps and disaster zones.

Over two years into this pandemic and for many people around the world, coronavirus is still dominating their lives. At ShelterBox, we have adapted how we work as coronavirus creates a whole new level of risk for vulnerable families who have lost their homes.

With the war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts around the world, the number of people forcibly displaced has now surpassed 100 million for the first time on record, representing 1% of the total global population. Many will have limited access to shelter, healthcare, water, food and ways to earn a living, leaving them even more vulnerable to diseases like coronavirus.

In many of the places we have been working like Syria and Burkina Faso, coronavirus is still spreading rapidly.

Coronavirus is an unprecedented global humanitarian emergency. It is creating more danger for many of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Emergency shelter can, and is, saving lives in this pandemic.

‘Emergency shelter saves lives’

Our Chief Executive Sanj Srikanthan explains how we have been providing vital emergency shelter aid to communities all over the world.

How does shelter save lives?

Shelter is helping slow the spread of coronavirus in crowded camps and villages

Find out why shelter is absolutely vital right now.

How we’re responding to the coronavirus pandemic

Global travel restrictions are still making it tougher for us to undertake our vital work.

But our links with local partners worldwide, combined with our storage of shelter materials and tools in multiple locations globally, means we are still able to get shelter to the families who need it most.

Find out how we’re adapting how we work during the coronavirus pandemic.

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“The partnership between Rotary and ShelterBox provides a place of refuge for vulnerable people to stay as healthy as possible.

When it comes to fighting a pandemic, the most vulnerable need our protection – or everyone is at risk. As emergency shelter experts, ShelterBox has a vitally important part to play in the global response to Covid-19.”

John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International, ShelterBox’s partner in disaster relief

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Pictures from the frontline

See how we’re working with local partners to get shelter to the families who need it most

How has our disaster response work changed during the coronavirus pandemic?

How do you get aid to the people who need it without endangering anyone and when most countries are on some kind of lockdown and large gatherings are banned?

How has lockdown and social distancing changed how we listen to feedback?

How did we check that what we’ve done is effective when you can’t easily go back to ask people because most countries were on lockdown and physical distancing was the new normal?

Coronavirus: An Impossible Choice for the World’s Vulnerable

See how coronavirus is making existing crises worse in the developing world.

5 Things You Need to Know About Coronavirus

And how it’s affecting families living through disaster

How Does Shelter Save Lives?

Emergency shelter can save lives by slowing the spread of Coronavirus. Find out why shelter is absolutely vital right now.

How we are responding to coronavirus

At ShelterBox, we’re adapting how we work as coronavirus creates a new and deadly risk for families who have lost their homes.