Development Ratings

Improving survival prospects: Water-borne diseases cause 80% of sub-Saharan illnesses under normal circumstances (Source: WHO). When conditions are cramped and water infrastructure has been damaged, water purification systems help prevent serious disease outbreaks. Family shelter units prevent the survival and health problems of exposure to the elements, and can reduce disease transmission. Mosquito nets in the tropics and tents in colder disaster locations can be life saving.

Providing dignified living conditions: Refugee camp conditions can be very difficult and can foster feelings of helplessness and dependency. A space for themselves allows families greater dignity.

Allowing earlier recovery: The total loss of basic possessions clearly undermines the restoration of lives, homes and economies. The Trust’s toolkit allows physical rebuilding to begin. The tents provide a degree of security until homes are reconstructed. They can be used as makeshift shops when local economic conditions begin to recover. Around £500 of equipment supplied per box, along with the trade boxes and fishing nets, ensures that each bread winner has a head start on recovery to financial self-sufficiency. This is worth several times the donation in the value of saved lives, prevented illness and earning activities resumed much sooner than would otherwise be possible.

Improving educational opportunities: Schools take longer to re-build and are generally a secondary priority to family homes. School boxes allow children’s education to continue outdoors or from tents.

Relieving extreme poverty: ShelterBoxes can provide the basics to people such as refugees from fighting or AIDS orphans, providing the same economic development support as for disaster victims.