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 2.5 million people so far. And in these uncertain times, your support is more valuable than ever.

Thanks to your incredible support and the help of our partners worldwide, we provided shelter to over 400,000 people in 2022.

We won’t stop until we see a world where no family goes without shelter after disaster. Will you help us?

Read more about your impact in 2022.

Families you are helping


Finding comfort in community after the Morocco earthquake

Aicha’s story

Aicha lives in a village in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Her community was rocked when they experienced an earthquake. Discover her story.

Searching for security in Gaza

Moh’s story

Moh lived in a ShelterBox tent in Gaza as a child after being displaced from his family home. Discover his story.

Personal tragedy and community leadership after the Morocco earthquake

Mohamed’s story

Mohamed faced personal tragedy in the Morocco earthquake, but has led his community towards recovery. Discover his story.

Seeking safety in Chad

Hawa’s story

Hawa and her family were forced from their home by the conflict in Sudan. Now in Chad, learn about her experiences and how ShelterBox helped.

Finding a shelter of their own in Yemen

Salwa’s story

Salwa and her family were forced to move many times due to the conflict in Yemen. Learn more about her story and how ShelterBox has helped.

Seeking shelter from the conflict in Yemen

Dawla’s story

After being forced to move several times due to the conflict in Yemen, learn more about Dawla’s story and how ShelterBox have helped.

On the path to recovery after the Türkiye earthquakes

Nurgül’s story

Nurgül and her husband Imam’s home was destroyed in the Turkey earthquakes. Learn more about her story, and how ShelterBox has helped.

Facing drought in the Horn of Africa

Samira's story

Samira and her six children had to flee their home after drought conditions led to conflict. Read their story and how ShelterBox has helped.

Seeking safety from the conflict in Ukraine

Natalia's story

Discover how Natalia and her daughter fled to Moldova from the Ukraine conflict, and the support they received from ShelterBox.

Recovering from the devastation of the Pakistan floods

Ghulam's story

Ghulam and her family lost everything in the devastating Pakistan floods in 2022. Learn about their story and recovery after the disaster.

Discovering a safe space after the Turkey earthquakes

Aleu's Story revisited

We re-visited Aleu to see how the family have been getting on since receiving support from ShelterBox, partnered with Rotary, after the Turkey earthquakes.

Discovering a community in Minawao Camp

Dogidem's Story

Minawao Camp in northern Cameroon receives several dozen refugees every week. Dogidem is one of three women in Minawao Camp who received ShelterBox aid that were visited regularly over six months, to learn about their life and experiences.

Finding a Community in Minawao Camp

Kaltoumi B's Story

Kaltoumi B fled to Cameroon from violence in Nigeria. She is one of three women who received ShelterBox aid in Minawao Camp who we regularly visited over six months, to learn about their lives and experiences.

Building a new life in Minawao Camp

Kaltoumi's Story

Kaltoumi fled to Cameroon in 2014, after extremist group Boko Haram made repeated attacks on her village in Nigeria. We visited Kaltoumi several times over a 6 month period to hear her story.

Recovering from the Pakistan Flooding

Rustam's Story

Rustam’s family lost everything when the floods hit their village in Pakistan. Read Rustam’s story of recovery.

Moving through trauma after the Turkey earthquakes

Aleu's Story

Before the earthquakes, Aleu’s home was a source of security and comfort. Now, her families too afraid to sleep inside.

A bright future after Typhoon Rai

Violeta's Story

Violeta’s home was destroyed after Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines. Read her family’s story of recovery.

Rebuilding during the Ukraine War

Ruslan and Marina's story

ShelterBox helped Ruslan rebuild after an airstrike

Rebuilding after Typhoon Rai

Ginalyn’s story

Ginalyn’s home was destroyed after Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines. Read her story of recovery here.

Stories from the Ukraine war

Olga and Dina's story

Olga and Dina are some of the people we’ve supported in Ukraine. Read their story here.

Rebuilding together in Vanuatu

Shelley's Story

Shelley lost her home when Cyclone Harold devastated Vanuatu. See how her community rebuilt together.

Stories from Yemen

Ali's story

Ali lives in a camp for displaced people in the Marib region of Yemen, with his family of eight. Read his story.

Starting again after Typhoon Goni

Jennifer's story

Read how Jennifer used ShelterBox aid to repair her home that was damaged by Typhoon Goni (Rolly) in the Philippines.

A childhood lost to Boko Haram

Guidadi's story

Read how 13-year-old Guidadi became responsible for his siblings after losing his parents to Boko Haram.

Starting again after the Haiti earthquake

Marcel's story

Read how Marcel’s life was interrupted by the Haiti earthquake and how ShelterBox supported him.

Surviving 2020's worst hurricane

Maryuri's story

Read how Maryuri from Honduras managed to rebuild after Hurricanes Eta and Iota.

Running away from Boko Haram

Esther's story

Esther was forced to flee several times because of Boko Haram violence, before reaching Minawao camp. Read her story of survival.

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.

Recovering after Cyclone Harold

John's story

Read how John and his family protected themselves from the menacing cyclone and how ShelterBox helped.

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 used ShelterBox aid to recover after Typhoon Vongfong.

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 almost died. Read her story of survival and recovery.

Relief from the storm in Fiji

Diane's story

Read how Diane and her family recovered after Cyclone Winston.

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.

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 the earthquakes in Indonesia

Erti's story

See how Erti is recovering after the devastating earthquakes that hit Indonesia in 2018.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Find out more

A lady and child with a solar light