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.
Transforming lives after disaster
Meet the families you are supporting
Creating 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 natural disasters and conflicts rob people of their homes, we can’t wave a magic wand to replace what was lost, but we can help create something new. We can provide people with the tools to start the process of their own recovery.
Your support provides shelter that protects families from burning heat, bitter cold, dangerous animals and disease, and so much more. A shelter creates a space where families can have privacy from the rest of the world, where they can feel safety and security in being together.
When people are plunged into crisis, normality is suspended. But good, quality shelter can cut through the chaos. It doesn’t just give people space to heal from physical and emotional trauma, but it gives them roots, roots that go far deeper than a simple tent peg.
Take a look at some of the people your support has helped below.
Your impact in 2019
In 2019, families around the world saw their homes crumble after powerful earthquakes, cyclones and severe floods. Others had to abandon their homes, fleeing from life-threatening conflict.
But, thanks to our incredible supporters, people who lost their homes to disasters received essential emergency aid.
Items like tools and tarpaulins helped build shelters and bring families together again. Mosquito nets and water filters helped mothers protect their children from vector and water-borne diseases.
With your ongoing support, we’ll continue to fight for a world where no family goes without shelter.
FAMILIES YOU ARE HELPING
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
Diane and Yokimi’s story
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.
