Where We're 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.
libya: flooding
On Sunday, September 10th a severe storm, known as Storm Daniel, hit the north-east coast of Libya. It brought over 400mm of rain in 24 hours, in a region that typically only receives 1.5mm rain in the whole of September. The rainfall caused two dams to burst on the normally dry Wadi Derna riverbed. As a result, a torrent of water overwhelmed the city of Derna, entirely washing away several neighbourhoods.
It is feared that over 20,000 people have died. Rescue operations are still underway. The UN also estimates that over 30,000 people have been displaced by the disaster.
ShelterBox will be responding in Libya, in partnership with ACTED, to support people whose homes have been severely damaged or washed away by flood waters.
Morocco: EARTHQUAKE
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday, 70km south of Marrakesh. It’s the strongest recorded in the region and was felt as far as Portugal and Algeria.
The earthquake hit just after 11pm local time, under the cover of darkness, when many people would have been asleep. People spent the night on the streets, fearful of aftershocks, either unable or not wanting to return home. Thousands of people have lost their lives and the death toll continues rising as rescue operations continue.
ShelterBox is responding in Morocco, supporting thousands of people left homeless by the earthquake. We’re working hard to get tents, thermal blankets, solar lights, and kitchen sets to communities without adequate shelter in mountain villages. Villages that have largely been reduced to rubble, leaving people with little option but to sleep out in the open or in communal tents.
We are liaising closely with the government, local authorities, and our Rotary network to support people living in remote areas, who have been left with very little.
Chad: DISPLACEMENT OF SUDANESE REFUGEES DUE TO CONFLICT
Over one million people have been displaced due to violence clashes between rival forces. We have been closely monitoring the situation and we expect the number of Sudanese refugees crossing the border into Chad to increase exponentially.
More than 80,000 people have crossed the Chadian border, with only 2% having access to any form of shelter.
ShelterBox is continuing to actively monitor this urgent situation and will be responding with a project that will support refugees with adequate emergency shelter, basic household items and critical items needed for resettlement. This project will improve the lives of 3,500 households displaced to Chad.
Photo: ShelterBox has responded to Chad in both 2017 and 2018
Türkiye - EARTHQUAKES
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye (formerly Turkey), close to the border with Syria, at 4:17am local time on February 6th, followed by two more intense aftershocks.
18 million people have been impacted by the earthquake, 3 million people have been displaced and 55 thousand people lost their lives.
ShelterBox is working with Rotary and Rotaract members to respond to the earthquake in Türkiye with tents, thermal blankets, mattresses, solar lights and other essential items. Over 18 thousand people have received ShelterBox aid so far.
Pakistan - FLOODING
Severe monsoon flooding in Pakistan has left thousands of people with nowhere to live. The disaster has affected more than 33 million people and around 1 million houses have been damaged or destroyed.
We have partnered with Islamic Relief Pakistan to support thousands of people left with nowhere to live.
Aid includes tents, water filters and carriers, mosquito nets, and solar lights.
Learn more about the situation in Pakistan and see how you can help.
Horn of Africa - DROUGHT
The Horn of Africa is facing its worst drought in more than forty years.
After four consecutive failed rainy seasons in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, people are living on the brink of famine.
Across East Africa, almost 36 million people have been affected by the drought. More than 1.5 million people are displaced, and many of them are on the move as they desperately search for food.
We’re responding in Somalia, where the drought has affected 7.8 million people.
An estimated 8.2 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. Currently, we are working with our partner, Juba Foundation to support distribution of durable shelters and shelter kits including blankets, solar lights, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, and jerry cans. We are also supporting efforts to ensure land tenure for families to remain for 2-5 years to support their self-recovery journeys.
Vulnerable communities who are in urgent need of support will be receiving ShelterBox aid items.
Find out more about the situation in East Africa.
Ukraine - CONFLICT
We have responded to the Ukraine crisis.
17.6 million Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian support as a result of the conflict.
We have distributed thousands of mattresses to people living in collective centers (schools, churches, etc.) in Lviv. We have also distributed thermal blankets, clothing and emergency repair kits that included materials to help fix damaged roofs, seal windows and doors, to keep heat in, and to keep homes watertight. The most vulnerable houses received fuel stoves and firewood.
To date, Shelterbox has provided aid to more than 110,000 people since we began supporting communities affected by the conflict in Ukraine. This includes people displaced within Ukraine as well as those who crossed its border into Moldova.
Mozambique - CONFLICT
Violent incidents involving the extremist group, Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jama, began in 2017 and attacks on civilians, government forces, and military installations have continued to increase. Over 1 million people have been displaced.
3000 shelter kits and 3000 family kits will be supplied to those in resettlement camps, and another 3000 shelter survival kits will be delivered to hard to reach areas.
Burkina Faso - CONFLICT
This is one of the fastest-growing humanitarian crises in Africa, with over 1.7 million people displaced due to extremist violence since 2019. We are focusing on the construction of Sahel Tents for over 1,100 newly displaced families with plans to support them during the first 1.5 years of their displacement. We know that families will use the tents beyond these first years, and are committed to providing locally appropriate shelter that will last. Distribution and construction are set to start in May/June.
ShelterBox has been responding to this conflict since 2020.
Ethiopia - CONFLICT & DROUGHT
Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to violent conflict and drought in Ethiopia.
his is a complex humanitarian emergency due to conflict, insecurity, and the effects of climate change contributing to mass displacements and humanitarian need. It is estimated that since 2021 2.6 million people have been displaced due to conflict in North Ethopia.
Working with our partner IOM, we’re supporting people with items like tarpaulins, rope, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, water carriers and kitchen sets.
And as the humanitarian needs continue to escalate, we are scaling up to support a further 12,000 people in the Oromia and Somali regions who are affected by the East Africa drought.
Lake Chad Basin - CONFLICT
Since 2009, Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in the central Sahel region, which includes the countries of Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger. Learn more
NIGERIA
The crisis in Northeast Nigeria’s BAY States of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, is now in its 12th year. Displacement happens because of armed conflict between government forces and insurgent groups, the desertification of Northeast Nigeria, the shrinking of the remaining herding sites, and an increased frequency of floods in the past few years.
CAMEROON
Since 2015, we’ve provided shelter and essential aid to over 25,000 families in Cameroon who have been forced from their homes due to Boko Haram violence, climatic changes, or economic pressures.
As of 10th October 2022 floods have affected about 180,000 people in the Mayo-Danay and Logone et Chari divisions. 10,000 hectares of fields in the extreme-Nord province have been affected further exacerbating food insecurity in the region. The security situation remains volatile, characterized by incursions and attacks between organized armed groups and state groups.
In 2022, our 11th project seeks to shelter approximately 9,800 households or 53,300 individuals in the Far North region of Cameroon with a range of emergency transitional and durable shelters.
Cameroon is currently hosting more than 78,722 refugees who have fled Nigeria. ShelterBox works closely with a local NGO, Public Concern Cameroon, based in Northern Cameroon to support families with a range of emergency, transitional and durable shelter kits and household items.
