What Is ShelterBox?
A GLOBAL ROTARY CLUB SERVICE PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
ShelterBox USA is a non-profit disaster relief program. It is supported by the concern and grassroots generosity of Rotarians worldwide, individual US citizens and organizations: service & community groups, schools, corporate and private foundations.
Each ShelterBox is a large, rugged, green plastic container that holds a 10-person tent and a range of other equipment. Typical box contents include:
- Thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets
- Waterproof ponchos and bin bags
- A multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint!
- Cooking pans, utensils, bowls and mugs
- Collapsible water containers and water purification tablets
- A basic tool kit – hammer, axe, saw, pliers, hoe head, trenching shovel, rope etc
- A small, children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons, pens etc.
However, a range of equipment is kept in stock. This allows ShelterBox to be flexible and adjust the contents of the box according to local conditions and what is most urgently needed.
We also have sleeping bags that can be used in particularly cold conditions. Sometimes, particularly if other resources are available locally and the overwhelming need is for shelter – we will just send tents and pack two in each box.
Once assembled, boxes are banded and sealed for transit. They are individually numbered so each box can be tracked and donors can know the final destination of the box.