Surviving the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia
Shewit's story
When violence broke in her village in Tigray, Ethiopia, Shewit ran with her four children. Read her story of survival.
Stories of impact after disaster
Every family has a story; see how your support transforms lives after disaster
You help create strong foundations
Shelter is more than just a roof – it’s a home. It’s the foundation for life, for families, for communities, for peace.
When disasters and conflicts rob people of their homes, we can’t wave a magic wand to replace what was lost, but we can provide people with the tools to start the process of their own recovery.
Using our shelter kits and tarpaulins, families can create a home after disaster. Our blankets, solar lights, cooking sets and mats offer a sense of comfort and relief, giving people space to heal from physical and emotional trauma.
Your support provides shelter that protects families from burning heat, bitter cold, dangerous animals and disease, and so much more. In these trying times, shelter creates a space where families can isolate away from others and reduce the risk of coronavirus.
Read the powerful stories of people your support has helped below.
Why support ShelterBox?
With over 20 years of experience, we are experts in emergency shelter after disaster. We often work in places that others don’t, making sure that we reach families who need support to take the next step in resuming their livelihoods.
From Cameroon to Syria, all the way to the Philippines and the Caribbean, we have provided shelter to over 1.5 million people so far. And in these uncertain times, your support is more valuable than ever.
Despite the challenges, we are working nonstop as part of the global effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. Thanks to your incredible support and the help of our partners worldwide, we provided shelter to 200,000 people in 2020.
We won’t stop until we see a world where no family goes without shelter after disaster. Will you help us?
We put families first
We have a flexible approach and we work with families to understand what they most need to support their own recovery after disaster.
We are focused
We specialise in emergency shelter and the essential tools needed to help rebuild homes after disaster.
We go further
We go to hard to reach communities, often those that are overlooked by others.
We are global
We have a global network of supporters raising vital funds to help us in our mission. We are official project partners with Rotary International, and Rotarians around the world help us connect with local communities when disaster strikes.
FAMILIES YOU ARE HELPING
Warmth in the harsh Syrian winter
Hamda's story
Hamda is just one of the millions of people pushed from their homes in Syria. Read her story here.
Recovering after Typhoon Vongfong
Nelcie's story
Read how Nelcie ‘s life was turned upside down after the typhoon ripped her house apart, and how the family used their ShelterBox aid to return home.
A new life in Cameroon
Fatima's story
Read how Fatima fled her village in Nigeria with her two children to finally re-settle in Cameroon.
Recovering after the earthquake in Nepal
Surya's story
When the devastating earthquake hit Nepal, Surya was almost buried alive. Read her amazing story of survival and recovery.
Relief from the storm in Fiji
Baby Yokimi was just three months old when Cyclone Winston hit.
Community support in Peru
Yolanda's story
When the floods devastated Peru in 2017, Yolanda’s home was wrecked. Using tools and materials, she was able to rebuild her home after the floodwaters receded.
Warmth and light in Syria
Ahmad's story
Working in partnership with ReliefAid, we provided Ahmad with the tools he needed to start the process of recovery.
Stories from Cameroon
Meet the families living in Minawao camp
Read the stories of some of the people who live in Minawao camp, one of the largest refugee camps in Cameroon.
Recovery in Dominica after Hurricane Maria
Simon's story
When Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc in Dominica in 2017, it destroyed Simon’s house. Read how we have supported Simon in rebuilding his home and finding comfort once again.
Recovering after floods in Bangladesh
Samina's story
Samina’s home was destroyed by severe flooding in Bangladesh in 2018. Read how Samina used her ShelterBox aid to rebuild her home.
Recovering after the earthquakes in Indonesia
Erti's story
See how Erti is recovering after the devastating earthquakes that hit Indonesia in 2018.
A chance to start again in Malaysia
Ismail Mustafa’s story
Monsoon floodwaters in Malaysia in 2016 forced Ismail and his family out of their home. Read their story of recovery.
A new home after the floods in Paraguay
Cecilio's story
When the rising water levels flooded their town in March 2019, Cecilio and his family had to evacuate their home and reach a safer place.
Life in Cox's Bazar
Hasina's story
Hasina is one of 655,000 Rohingya families who have been forced across the Myanmar border to escape sectarian violence. Read her story here.
Fleeing violence in Myanmar
Guljar's story
Guljar, a widow and mother of three, had to escape sectarian violence in Myanmar, settling in Bangladesh. Read her story.
Fleeing conflict in Nigeria
Falmata's story
When her whole village was being evacuated in fear of a Boko Haram attack, Falmata was working in the farmland and missed the evacuation. See how they managed to rebuild.
A safe space after the earthquake in Indonesia
Fatnizar's story
Fatnizar and her family received vital ShelterBox aid after an earthquake and tsunami flattened their home.
Life as a seamstress in Minawao camp
Esther's story
Esther saw her family getting slaughtered by Boko Haram. She escaped, settling in Minawao camp and becoming a seamstress.
Recovery in Malawi
Enoch and Mary's story
Torrential rains and severe flooding had destroyed Enoch and Mary’s home. Despite Enoch being totally blind, the family managed to rebuild and recover.
Rebuilding after Hurricane Maria
Ella's story
See how Ella managed to rebuild and improve her family’s livelihood after Hurricane Maria.
Escaping Boko Haram
Abdou's story
Abdou fled his home to protect his family. See how the mosquito net, kitchen set and solar lights we provided allowed the family to feel safe again.
Homes washed away in Bangladesh
Bizli's story
In 2017, torrential rains and floodwater from upstream caused widespread flooding in Bizli’s village. See how Bizli and her family started to rebuild their lives.
Starting over after fleeing Boko Haram
Khadija's story
Khadija had to flee her village in Nigeria after Boko Haram threatened everyone who lived there. Read her story of recovery.
Recovery after hurricane Maria
Amy's story
When hurricane Irma hit the island of Barbuda, Amy’s home was destroyed. Read how she managed to recover.
Rebuilding after fleeing Boko Haram
Yaya's story
Yaya fled when Boko Haram invaded her village. She now lives in a camp for internally displaced people in Cameroon with her children. Read her story here.
Swept away in the Philippines
Lily's story
Lily was physically swept away by powerful floods. This is her incredible story of recovery.
A sense of security in Peru
Paquito's story
When intense rains hit Peru in March 2017, the torrential flood waters swept away Paquito’s house. Read her story of recovery here.
Fleeing her home in Syria
Noor's story
See how we supported Noor and her family in Syria after they lost everything when ISIS took control.
Running from the conflict in Syria
Mohammed's story
Mohammed had to flee the devastating conflict in Syria to protect his children
Rebuilding after Cyclone Idai
Modestar's story
After Cyclone Idai washed away Modestar’s home, she used the aid items she received to rebuild.
A little piece of home in Gaza
When thousands of homes were destroyed in Gaza, we supported Mohammed Moammar with emergency shelter on his wedding day.
Answering prayers in the Philippines
Mercedes and Valentin's story
With shelter kits, our team showed Mercedes and Valentin how they could build resilient shelters to protect themselves from future storms in the Philippines.
How Mosquito Nets Changed Falmata's Life
Falmata escaped Boko Haram violence, only to be threatened by disease-carrying mosquitoes. Read how she used mosquito nets to protect her family.
Hope & Strength
Four leading photographers Olly Burn, Tom Stoddart, Veronique de Viguerie and Dougie Wallace have helped us to pay tribute to the incredible hope and strength of the people we meet.
The photographers travelled with us to meet families living through severe drought in Somaliland, devastation in the British Virgin Islands, and to meet Rohingya families living in the refugee camps in Bangladesh.
In circumstances often defined by violence and tragedy, these families show courage, determination and resilience. The photographs capture the incredible power people possess to carry on and be hopeful.
