Below is a snapshot report on current ShelterBox programs. We are in desperate need of funding to ensure we can reach the highest number of vulnerable households across these projects. Please consider a district gift and urge your clubs to support this lifesaving work.
Burkina Faso – Conflict
The multidimensional crisis in Burkina Faso is the most dynamic crisis (in terms of population movements) and the most devastating for the civilian populations of the three countries of the Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger). Since 2020, the country has become the epicenter of armed violence imposed mainly by non-state armed groups. More than 10% of the population have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
‘Project 5’ is complete; 1,100 displaced households now have shelter, WASH kits and other essential items. ‘Project 6’ will also support ~1,000 newly displaced families with that aid package and includes the construction of a concrete base that will protect families from seasonal flooding and ground saturation which will improve levels of hygiene and dignity. The tarpaulins, rope, solar lights, mosquito nets, blankets and shade netting will be internationally imported. This project also includes the local procurement of materials for Sahel style tents, wash kits, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, water carriers and more.
Cameroon – Conflict/ Climate
The Far North Region of Cameroon grapples with displacement due to the ongoing Lake Chad Basin crisis. Factors include armed group attacks, floods, and poverty. These challenges lead to displacement within Cameroon. While flooding causes short-term displacement, attacks result in prolonged displacement. ‘Project 12’ aims to aid over 6,500 households by providing shelter items and household kits in the Extreme North region. Since 2015, ShelterBox has assisted over 40,000 households in Cameroon.
Chad – Refugees fleeing Sudan.
In April 2023, fighting between rival armed factions broke out in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war. The Sudan conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 14,000 people, the destruction of vital infrastructure, and the displacement of 8.1 million people. Since April of last year, around 550.000 refugees and asylum seekers have sought safety in Chad, 87 percent are women and children.
‘Project 1’ is underway to support refugees in Chad affected by the conflict in Sudan with adequate emergency shelter, basic household items and critical settlement infrastructure support to improve the living conditions. Project 1 aims to support up to 3,500 households.
Ethiopia – Conflict / Climate
Ethiopia remains characterized by ongoing conflict, insecurity, and the effects of climate change; this has caused many displacements and drives humanitarian needs. Across the country, over 30 million people need humanitarian support, and over 4.38 million people are internally displaced.
Since 2019, ShelterBox has provided shelter and more to over 25,000 households (HHs) in Ethiopia. Our current ‘Project 6’, will seek to address the unmet shelter needs of 7,000 vulnerable displaced HHs in Ethiopia through the supply of emergency shelter and household items, contributing to improved living conditions.
Gaza – Conflict
Given the highly dangerous operating environment, and heavily restricted movement of people and aid into Gaza, ShelterBox has no option but to work through local partners to support war-affected communities in Gaza. The team is partnering with the UK-registered charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), given its pre-existing presence inside Gaza, as well as its partnership with the Egyptian Red Crescent, meaning it can import items into Egypt, and from there into Gaza. MAP is working with a local Palestinian organization, the Social Development Forum (SDF), which will take charge of the identification of project participants, storage and onwards movements of aid items, distribution, and project monitoring.
‘Project 1’ will utilize an initial aid package that is closely in line with the UN Shelter Cluster recommendations has been selected. The aid package will include Sealing-off kits (tarpaulin, rope, tape, and plastic sheeting), kitchen sets, bedding sets, washing sets, and hygiene kits. We are also planning ‘Project 2’ to send ~2,500 tents for distribution in the coming months.
Malawi – Flooding
Since November, Malawi has faced episodes of flooding, particularly in the southern and central regions. In some areas, houses remain submerged in floodwaters, while in accessible areas, many houses have been destroyed or damaged.
‘Project 1’ will support 1,150 families in the Nkhotakota district. The project will aim wherever possible to return people to homesite and not maintain families in camp settings. The aid package consists of Shelter Tool Kit, Tarpaulin, High Thermal Blankets, Solar Lamp, Kitchen Set, Sleeping Mat, Water filter, Water carrier, Bucket, Mosquito nets, Woven bag, and a cash grant of $115 (USD). Distributions planned to begin by late April.
Mozambique – Conflict
Mozambique faces diverse challenges that have created a complex humanitarian crisis for which the country is under-resourced and underequipped to respond. There are ~670,000 people displaced across northern Mozambique (80% are women and children). CARE Mozambique and ShelterBox have, in partnership, provided aid to over 15,000 households since 2021. We will partner again on ‘Project 3’ to provide Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Item (ESNFI) assistance to 4,150 Internally Displaced households who have been living for a protracted period in re-settlement or transit sites.
Pakistan – Flooding
In June of 2022, Pakistan was overwhelmed by severe monsoon rains and flooding affecting both areas in the North and South of Pakistan. Over 94 districts were declared ‘calamity hit,’ by the Government of Pakistan. ‘Project 2’ is providing a full durable shelter package to support the recovery process of over 700 households. A total of 747 durable shelters were constructed, final inspections and reporting underway.
Somalia – Climate / Conflict
Decades of conflict, recurrent climate shocks, disease outbreaks and increasing poverty are devastating the people of Somalia. Our project aim is to contribute to self-recovery of ~2300 vulnerable disaster and conflict affected HH in Somalia through the construction of durable and transitional shelters and distribution of emergency shelter kits and NFIs. Our approach is to address both the longer-term shelter needs with constructed and robust structures and to remain flexible to ongoing shocks through flood and conflict by providing emergency shelter kits.
Syria – Conflict
Shelter adequacy is a significant issue in Syria. Shelter and thermally focused Household items (HHI) are essential to preserve life during the cold months. ShelterBox provides shelter materials and HHI that allow existing shelters to be improved before the winter conditions take hold (December – March). Tarpaulins and rope were used to cover tents that are old, worn and in need of repair, while blankets and children’s clothing are provided to individuals.
Winter project 23 in Northwest Syria is complete, assisting 2,010 HH and providing additional winter clothing for an orphanage. Winter project 23 in Northeast Syria is also complete, reaching 2,900 HH, and warm clothing was also distributed in 3 informal settlements in Ar Raqqa.
Ukraine – Conflict
‘Project 6’ distributions are complete across 9 Oblasts supporting a mix of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) mainly in western areas, and people who remain living in damaged homes and buildings. The aid included shelter repair kit, kitchen kit, sleeping kit, and locally procured hygiene kits. Different households received different combinations of kits depending on needs. Project 6 assisted over 21,850 people bringing the total number to more than 126,000 Ukrainian people who have received ShelterBox aid since March of 2022. While there is no further response in Ukraine planned at this time, we will continue to monitor displacements and shelter needs closely.
Yemen – Conflict
Since November, the Houthis, who are the de-facto authority in the north of Yemen and control the Red Sea coastline, have launched attacks in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinian armed group, Hamas. To deter these attacks, the United States and the United Kingdom conducted military strikes in Yemen, targeting military facilities in areas under Houthi control including the capital, Sana’a. The Houthis, who control most of the north of Yemen including the capital are asking UK/US aid workers to leave Yemen.
Fortunately, ShelterBox works with Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief (BCHR), a Yemen based NGO who have been working across several governorates in Yemen since 2015. Our partnership works in Marib, a governorate controlled by the internationally recognized government of Yemen and therefore not in an area targeted by the strikes. The highest unmet shelter needs are in Marib governorate, which hosts the largest population of IDPs in the country.
Building on the experience and lessons learned in our Pilot project in 2022, our aim in ‘Project 2’ is to support 1,100 HH with durable shelters made with an iron frame, a layer of fireproof thermal insulation, and an outer layer of corrugated steel to protect it from blowing sand. Each shelter is built on a concrete base with a surrounding brick wall to protect from water ingress, and has wooden doors and windows, allowing for better ventilation and privacy. Each shelter includes lights and sockets. These shelters are a preferred option for short-term, and as a medium- to long- term solution. The estimated lifespan is seven years. 915 shelters are completed, with the remainder expected to be finished by the end of April.
These projects rely upon the generous support of donor funding, your help is vital to continue this work.
