WE ARE SHELTERBOX

WHAT WE BELIEVE


Everyone deserves a place to call home. It is a human right and the first step towards recovery after disaster.

Shelter is so much more than just a roof. It’s the foundation for life, families and communities. It is a place to feel safe after days or weeks of fear. It offers protection from harsh weather, privacy, and helps to preserve dignity. It’s a space to heal from trauma.

Shelter and other essential items help people protect themselves from diseases like coronavirus and malaria.

Emergency shelter can also prevent communities from scattering. This means people stay connected and build resilience together.

When you don’t have to keep moving or worry about where to sleep at night, you can think about tomorrow. Items like tents, tarpaulins, tools, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking sets and water filters help to meet the most urgent needs, so you can start to earn a living, send children to school and rebuild your home.

Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but a dry and warm place to sleep, prepare meals and be with your family is the vital first step.

OUR VISION

A world where no family is without shelter after disaster

OUR MISSION


To build awareness of global displacement and to facilitate providing families with life-saving shelter and essential tools and supplies that will enable them to rebuild their homes and transform their lives after disaster.

OUR VALUES


Our values run through everything we do. They are the principles that guide how we approach our work with the people we support, our volunteers and our staff.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

Without you, we wouldn’t be able to help families after disaster. Keep reading to see our set of standards for how we work and the service you can expect.

HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES


Everything we do is shaped by the four humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.

Our work and actions are bound by these principles to ensure that we are able to reach vulnerable people after disaster or in complex emergencies like wars and other conflicts.

They allow us to find and build partnerships and coordinate with other humanitarian organizations ensuring that we can support as many people as possible.

The principles are based on International Humanitarian Law:

Humanity means human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention given to the most vulnerable, to protect life and health, and ensure respect for others.

Neutrality means humanitarian actors must not take sides in a conflict or other dispute.

Impartiality means humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need and without discrimination. Humanitarians must not make distinctions based on nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions.

Independence means autonomy of humanitarian actions from political, economic, military, or other objectives.

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT


All staff and volunteers who travel with us to disaster areas sign our Code of Conduct.

This sets out our ethical and professional standards. This includes commitments to integrity, truthfulness, dedication, and honesty; to observing local and international laws; and to not abuse power or influence over others.

It includes the principles above as well as the wider principles in the Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

In all humanitarian activities, our staff and volunteers prioritize safety and dignity, work without discrimination, avoid causing harm or taking sides, and promote meaningful access.

Children taking shelter behind a stack of Shelter boxes as a helicopter lands

Our team makes the difference

Meet the Team

At ShelterBox, we strive to do the right thing. It is an important value at the heart of our organization and it drives our commitment to improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in our work and workplace.

The original Helston Lizard club with a Shelter box

20 Years of Striving for Peace

Our History

ShelterBox USA Events

How you can help


SUPPORT THIS VITAL WORK

Donate now to help people who have lost their homes to disaster by providing emergency shelter and essential equipment.

Make an Impact

Whatever skills, knowledge or time you have to volunteer, you can play a vital part in this process. All we need is your passion.

Stay Up to Date

Featuring the latest news from the field, stories of families who we’ve helped and exciting fundraising campaigns that you can be a part of, you won’t want to miss out.

Get in Touch

Help us provide emergency shelter, and more