ShelterBox facts for kids

ShelterBox is a special charity that helps families around the world. It started in 2000 in Helston, Cornwall, UK. This group gives emergency shelter and other important items to families. These are families who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or conflicts.

ShelterBox helps after many kinds of natural disasters. This includes earthquakes, big storms like cyclones, tsunamis, floods, and volcanoes erupting. They also help families who have to leave their homes because of wars or fighting. Places like Syria and the Lake Chad Basin have received their help.

What does ShelterBox provide? They often give out tents for temporary homes. They also provide shelter kits. These kits help people build or fix their own strong shelters. Other useful items include mosquito nets, water filters, and water carriers. They also give solar lights, cooking sets, blankets, and mats. Often, all these items come packed in a strong green box.

The help ShelterBox gives changes for each disaster and place. It's not always the same. Special teams from ShelterBox go to these places to give out the aid. They work closely with local groups and other aid organizations. They also partner with Rotary Clubs around the world.

How ShelterBox Started

ShelterBox helped in Kenya in 2011 after a long dry period and food shortages.

The Beginning of ShelterBox

ShelterBox was created in 2000 in Helston, Cornwall, UK. A man named Tom Henderson, who was a Rotarian and a former Royal Navy diver, had the idea. He saw a TV show about disaster relief and realized how hard it was to help people. He thought of a "disaster relief kit for a family." This kit would be in a box that could be sent quickly anywhere in the world. The Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard supported his idea.

The first 143 ShelterBoxes were sent in 2001. They went to people affected by the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in India. Over the next three years, the project grew. By the end of 2004, nearly 2,600 boxes had been sent. These boxes helped after 16 big disasters. ShelterBox greatly expanded its work after the huge 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Tom Henderson was recognized for his work. He was named a CNN Hero in 2008. This award honors everyday people who are changing the world. In 2010, The Queen gave him an OBE award. This was for his amazing work in charity and helping people since he started ShelterBox.

Later, in 2012, Tom Henderson left his role as CEO of ShelterBox. In 2013, Alison Wallace became the new CEO.

Important Times ShelterBox Helped

One of the biggest times ShelterBox helped was after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti in 2010. ShelterBox gave shelter to 28,000 families. This was about a quarter of all the tents given out in the areas near Port-au-Prince.

After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ShelterBox helped about 1,600 families. They provided aid in the areas hit by the disaster.

In 2015, a strong earthquake hit Nepal. It caused many deaths and injuries. ShelterBox went to Nepal to help families who had lost their homes.

In 2017, two very strong hurricanes, Irma and Maria, hit the Caribbean. ShelterBox sent aid to many islands. These included St Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands.

ShelterBox has also done a lot of work in places affected by conflict. The war in Syria is one of their biggest projects. Since 2013, they have been giving emergency help to families caught in the war.

How the Charity Has Grown

In the early years, the main office and warehouse for ShelterBox were in Helston. Volunteers would pack the green ShelterBoxes there. Then, the boxes were shipped to disaster areas. Since then, the charity has grown a lot. Now, the main office is in Truro, and there's a smaller office in London.

In 2017, ShelterBox started a local organization in the Philippines. It's called ShelterBox Operations Philippines. ShelterBox has helped in the Philippines more than any other country. Having a local group there helps the charity respond even faster and better in that country.

How ShelterBox Responds to Disasters

Mike Perham talking about ShelterBox at a school in 2012.

ShelterBox uses special systems to watch weather around the world. This helps them guess how big hurricanes and cyclones might be. They also have an earthquake alert system. This system tells them right away about any shaking that could cause a disaster. ShelterBox also works with local and international aid groups. Rotary Clubs worldwide also share information when they know people need help quickly.

ShelterBox has a way to decide where to send help. They have questions to make sure they support the families who need it most. If they meet these rules, and it's safe to go, a team can be sent within 48 hours.

How ShelterBox Gets Money

ShelterBox gets its money from donations. About half of the money comes from people in the UK. The rest is raised by their partner groups in other countries.

Important Supporters

In 2007, the Duchess of Cornwall became a special supporter of ShelterBox. She became their President and Royal Patron. She first learned about the charity in 2006.

She met ShelterBox workers during a visit to villages in Pakistan that were hit by an earthquake. She was very impressed by their new ways of helping after disasters. Because of this, she has supported them ever since.

Working with Others

Rotary International

In 2000, the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard chose ShelterBox as its special project. Since then, ShelterBox has become one of the world's top charities. It gives emergency shelter and supplies to thousands of families after disasters.

Rotary International and ShelterBox renewed their partnership in 2019. This means they will work together for three more years. This partnership helps them both help more families around the world who have lost their homes.

ShelterBox has been Rotary's official partner for disaster relief since 2012. But their connection goes back to when ShelterBox first started. What began with one Rotary Club in Cornwall has grown into a worldwide effort. Rotary has helped raise over £54 million for ShelterBox so far. Their partnership is not just about money. About 1,000 Rotary members help ShelterBox as volunteers, staff, or team members. Rotary clubs everywhere offer practical help to make sure ShelterBox can reach more families after disasters or conflicts.

International Partners

ShelterBox has teams called "affiliates" in different parts of the world. These teams work with ShelterBox to help with fundraising, volunteering, and more. Some of the biggest ShelterBox partners are in the US, Canada, and Australia. But their network of partners reaches more than 15 countries worldwide.

Local Aid Partners

ShelterBox works with partners all over the world. These partners help them deliver aid in places affected by disasters or conflicts.