About ShelterBox
ShelterBox is a global organization made up of people who believe in shelter as a human right. No family without shelter when disaster strikes.
25 years of ShelterBox
In 2025 ShelterBox will be 25 years old. We have responded to a number of major disasters that shook whole countries and their people. Explore some of them here.
ShelterBox was founded in 2000 by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in the small town of Helston, Cornwall UK.
Now, 25 years later, ShelterBox has grown into an independent international disaster relief organization that provides emergency shelter, tools, and other essentials to people after disaster.
Our Impact
In 25 years, we have supported over 3 million people in around 100 countries.
We’ve been there for more than 300,000 people in the Philippines. That’s why we created ShelterBox Operations Philippines.
Syria is our longest ongoing response. We’ve supported over 375,000 people there since 2012.
SHELTERBOX FOUNDED
ShelterBox was founded in the small town of Helston, Cornwall UK, by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard.
Gujarat earthquake support
Amazing local support in Cornwall meant people in India who lost their homes in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake were the first to be supported by the newly formed ShelterBox.
Afghanistan and Angola conflict
Families affected by conflict in Afghanistan and Angola were supported with tents and other essential shelter aid items. ShelterBox takes the first steps to going global when ShelterBox USA was formed and adopted as a project of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Florida.
ShelterBox Australia is formed
ShelterBox Australia was formed, further growing worldwide support from Rotarians and others around the world. With their help, ShelterBox was to grow and help people affected by disaster in six countries around the world.
Boxing Day Tsunami
ShelterBox helped Indonesian communities after the Boxing Day Tsunami. The incredible surge of support for the families affected by this huge disaster also allowed ShelterBox to help people in many more disasters. ShelterBox Volunteer Response Teams were introduced.
Signatory to Red Cross Code of Conduct
Still working to support families affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami, ShelterBox becomes a signatory to Red Cross Code of Conduct signing up to 10 core principles of humanitarian response and good conduct.
ShelterBox Germany and New Zealand formed and a royal visit
Rotaractors in Germany formed ShelterBox Germany and Rotarians created ShelterBox New Zealand. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall praised our work whilst visiting disaster-affected families in Pakistan.
500,000 people supported
Thanks to our incredible supporters, Jagedeo Argairiya, a mother affected by flooding in Nepal, becomes the 500,000th person to be supported by ShelterBox. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall becomes President of ShelterBox.
50th country helped
Our work supporting people in the Democratic Republic of Congo marked the 50th country ShelterBox has worked in. ShelterBox France was formed by Rotarians.
Three new affiliates formed
Rotarians mobilised once again to form ShelterBox Switzerland, ShelterBox Netherlands and ShelterBox Norway.
Haiti Earthquake
After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, with help from our amazing supporters, ShelterBox provided shelter for 28,000 families – we launched our biggest response to date. With the help of Rotarians, ShelterBox affiliates were formed in Canada, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Philippines and South Africa.
Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami
Support was provided to communities after the Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
Helping families and communities in Syria
We helped families fleeing the war in Syria, and we have been supporting communities in the region ever since – it is our longest running response. ShelterBox becomes Rotary International’s first Project Partner for disaster relief.
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
Our teams worked to support people after Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. ShelterBox Sweden formed.
Delivery of aid to Gaza
ShelterBox negotiated the delivery of aid to families like Mohammed’s in war-torn Gaza.
Nepal Earthquake
Our teams created a large scale response for families like Surya’s after the Nepal earthquake. We also started to help people like Esther fleeing Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Crisis and we are still supporting communities in the region today. We reached the milestone of supporting 1 million people in 2015.
Supporting families after cyclone Winston
After Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, our teams worked to support families like Diane and Yokimi’s. We began supporting people affected by the Mosul offensive, a response that lasted for three years.
Hurricane Irma + Rohingya crisis support
Our teams supported families like Yanira’s after Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, and Guljar’s during the Rohingya crisis, as well as 12 other countries.
Earthquake, tsunami and tropical storm support
After the Sulawesi Indonesia, earthquakes and tsunami, we supported families like Ertis’s. Having responded in the Philippines more frequently than any other country, with the help of local Rotarians and Rotary Clubs we opened ShelterBox Operations Phillipines, helping us to move quickly when Tropical Storm Usman hit.
Cyclone Idai + 250,000 helped in Syria
Support provided to families like Stephano and Mary’s after Cyclone Idai in Malawi. We also reached the milestone of helping over 250,000 people in Syria. We extended our partnership with Rotary International, to continue as partners in action, increasing reach and impact around the globe.
Covid 19 pandemic
As the Coronavirus pandemic raged across the world, shelter saved lives. Discover how we helped people protect themselves in dangerously crowded camps and disaster zones.
Haiti earthquake and Super Typhoon Rai
Read how ShelterBox supported over 20,000 families in the Philippines after Typhoon Rai caused widespread devastation. ShelterBox sent a team to Haiti after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country in August 2021.
Ukraine crisis
Brutal conflict in Ukraine left millions of people with no safe place to call home and having their lives torn apart. Read about how ShelterBox responded in Ukraine
Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
A series of powerful earthquakes devastated southern Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and northern Syria. Thousands of buildings collapsed leaving people homeless in the middle of a bitter winter. ShelterBox supported 18,800 people in Türkiye and Syria with aid.
Gaza conflict
12 months of unpredictable and unrelenting conflict has torn people from their loved ones and their homes in Gaza. We are working with our partners to provide emergency aid for people who have been displaced. Items like tents, tarpaulins, mattresses, water carriers and kitchen sets are essential for people who have lost everything. Read more about our response in Gaza
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Where We Are Working
Get the latest updates from the field and discover where we’re supporting communities around the world in the aftermath of disaster and conflict.
Impact
Shelter is more than just a roof – it’s a home. The impact of ShelterBox provides the foundation for life, for families, for communities.