2020 Mid-Year Update
Supporting vulnerable families after disaster
Coronavirus is a constant reminder of the fundamental importance of home to our health, safety, and well-being.
While many of us are able to physically distance and take precautions to care for ourselves and our families, there are 104 million people displaced in our world due to conflict or disaster who are particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
Despite the massive logistical challenges that the virus presents to our humanitarian work, all of us at ShelterBox remain committed to providing displaced families with emergency shelter and critically needed supplies during the pandemic.
Because of your generosity, in the first half of 2020 we have:
Responded 11 times in 10 countries
To 6 natural disasters and 5 conflicts
Supporting over 12,000 families
By adapting our aid, modifying our distributions, and working with in-country partners we are working to ensure no family is without the shelter aid they need to stay safe and healthy.
During these difficult times, we need and value our incredible global community of supporters more than ever. This work would not be possible without your generosity. Thank you.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of ShelterBox and 20 years of transforming lives around the world. Together, we have sheltered over 1.6 million people in over 100 countries around the world, giving hope to families on their worst days ever.
We want to say a huge thank you for your continued support.
12,000+
FAMILIES SUPPORTED
10
COUNTRIES
Responding around the world
2020 Deployments
Somaliland | Ongoing Severe Drought
Vanuatu | Cyclone Harold
The Philippines | Typhoon Vonfong, Taal Volcano
India | Cyclone Amphan
Tanzania | Flooding
Burkina Faso | Conflict
Syria | Conflict
Nigeria | Conflict
Cameroon | Conflict
Ethiopia | Conflict
SPOTLIGHT FROM THE FIELD - A NEW BEGINNING
This is Fanne, a 30-year-old mother of eight children, who is now living in Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon.
After violent extremist attacks by Boko Haram forced Fanne to leave behind her husband and home in Nigeria, she and her children arrived at the refugee camp with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
They were taken to a crowded collective center at the camp where they lived for three months. Fanne shared, “This is an indescribable feeling; you can’t imagine or understand unless it happens to you.”
Because of your generosity, in June 2020, ShelterBox provided Fanne with a tent and essential household items to rebuild their lives.
They have since moved out of the collective center into a new home and life has improved. With her new shelter she can keep her family safe at home.
I collected a tent, blankets, solar lamps, bucket, water carriers and much more. The other items helped me a lot in keeping water, covering the children, and lighting the house at night.”
REMOTE RESPONSE IN VANUATU
On April 6, Cyclone Harold made landfall in Vanuatu as a Category 5 cyclone, bringing devastation to communities in the north.
It was the strongest cyclone to hit the islands since Cyclone Pam in 2015.
Harold destroyed thousands of houses, damaged food crops and caused widespread power outages. Some communities were completely flattened by the cyclone, with electricity posts broken in two and roofs torn off by the powerful winds.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, access to the country is extremely difficult. As we are not able to send ShelterBox Response Teams, we partnered with CARE Vanuatu to get much-needed aid to the most vulnerable families.
Aid distributions have just completed and Post-Deployment Monitoring (PDM) is currently underway. received tarpaulin, rope and tools to construct emergency shelters across the affected communities.
Village chiefs in South Pentecost, who had almost given up hope of receiving support, asked our partner to convey their deep appreciation to ShelterBox and their supporters.
Enabling families to social distance
The three essential components to mitigating the global spread of disease are healthcare, hygiene, and shelter.
Right now, COVID-19 is spreading in low-income countries due to high population density, poor access to water and sanitation, and high levels of poverty.
As emergency shelter experts, ShelterBox has an important part to play in the global response to COVID-19.
Emergency shelter is vital for helping people move from overcrowded camps and collective centers to a more private space where they can socially distance or self isolate.
MORE 2020 Responses made possible by your support
Responding to the Taal Volcano in the Philippines
COVID-19 educational materials in Paraguay
