2020 Year-In-Review
IMPACT IN ACTION
The global pandemic has made the past year difficult, particularly for disaster affected families around the world who have lost their homes and ability to isolate.
Despite the challenges posed by coronavirus, because of your support, ShelterBox was able to serve 200,000 people with emergency shelter and life-saving aid and hygiene supplies.
IN 2020 SHELTERBOX HAS:
Responded in 13 countries
To 10 natural disasters and 5 conflicts
Supporting over 40,000 families
READ THE YEAR-IN-REVIEW REPORT
Your support was vital in bringing whole communities together and helping families recover. Not only have you provided the tools to rebuild you have also given hope. Without you, none of this would be possible.
Thank you for standing with us when shelter is more important than ever.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of ShelterBox and 20 years of transforming lives around the world. Together, we have sheltered over 1.7 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.
40,000
FAMILIES
200,000
PEOPLE
Responding around the world
Somaliland | Ongoing Severe Drought
Vanuatu | Cyclone Harold
The Philippines | Super Typhoon Goni, Typhoon Vonfong, Taal Volcano
India | Cyclone Amphan
Honduras | Hurricane Eta
Paraguay | Coronavirus
Tanzania | Flooding
Sudan | Flooding
Burkina Faso | Conflict
Syria | Conflict
Nigeria | Conflict
Cameroon | Conflict
Ethiopia | Conflict
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.
A special thank you from beneficiary Shelley and her son.
REBULIDING AFTER CYCLONE VONGFONG
ALEJANDRO’S STORY
Typhoon Vongfong (known locally as Ambo) devastated communities across Eastern Samar in the Philippines earlier this year. The destruction caused by the typhoon and the torrential rain that it brought with it affected nearly half a million people.
26-year-old Alejandro lives with his 25-year-old wife Jennifer and their 3-year-old daughter Keth in the Eastern Samar region of the Philippines. On the night the Cyclone hit, Alejandro and his family endured the rain, the wind and chest level water to escape to safety. They took refuge at Barangay Hall, “It was crowded, noisy, we were cooking with an umbrella because the kitchen had no more roof. It was really uncomfortable.”
When Alejandro and Jennifer were finally able to return to their home, they were shocked by the level of destruction. ‘Our house was completely destroyed. We lost everything that was inside.”
We have our privacy now and our daughter is smiling more often now because we have a new house.”
ShelterBox quickly responded, to provide essential aid items to families whose homes were destroyed by the powerful cyclone. We distributed tarpaulins and rope, as well as additional household items which will enable families to rebuild their homes and provide a private space to protect themselves from the threat of coronavirus.
Although the house they once loved was completely gone, the young couple worked hard to repair their home and rebuild their lives. Alejandro used the tarpaulin to build a new roof and wall and has found the other aid items very useful. “Now I can concentrate with work, not worrying about the security and comfort of my family. We have our privacy now and our daughter is smiling more often now because we have a new house.”
With their family housed they were able to focus on their future and have even opened a sari-sari store.
A NEW BEGINNING IN CAMEROON
Earlier this year, Boko Haram attacked Kaltoumi’s village, killing her husband and kidnapping her nine year old son. With ten children in her care, she fled her home in search of safety.
The journey from her village was long, it took the family about three days. When she arrived at Zamalva, Kaltoumi said the crowded living conditions were challenging and put her family at risk of contracting coronavirus.
The shelter I received allows me to keep my children at home and avoid those crowded places.”
With your support, ShelterBox equipped Kaltoumi with two shelter kits, solar lamps, kitchen sets, ground mats, blankets and water filters. Now she is using these tools to begin building a new life for her family.
Despite everything, Kaltoumi is excited to start her own business, selling food she grows in order to pay for some of her children to go to school.
In this house I’m more comfortable. I am now used to my new village and my new home. I like it and it is important to me because it is the only place where I can have some rest and feel safe. My best possession is actually the pot I use for cooking. I also like the kitchen set that was given to me, I use it with care, and I will keep it preciously.”
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
