How ShelterBox is helping families displaced around the globe

ShelterBox is a global organization made up of people who believe in shelter as a human right – that shelter from the chaos of disaster and conflict is vital.

When people are plunged into crisis, normality is suspended. But good, quality shelter can cut through the chaos. This is why we provide tools that enable people to rebuild homes and transform their lives.

We do things differently. We were born different. We started life as a small organization in the UK and have grown to make a big impact across the world. We don’t follow the crowd – we’ve carved our own path that leads straight to the families we support.

ShelterBox is working hard to provide families with shelter and other vital aid in global areas that are most susceptible to, and least prepared for, the covid-19 pandemic. We have active response work going on in Syria, Cameroon, Nigeria, Somalia, Burkina Faso and we are deploying to Vanuatu which just suffered a catastrophic category 5 cyclone. While this health danger is impacting all of us, people living in refugee camps or makeshift settlements are particularly vulnerable. The pandemic is a complex global challenge, some of which we at ShelterBox can plan for or adjust through, and some we simply can’t under such dynamic circumstances. ShelterBox, Rotary International’s Project Partner for disaster relief, was founded in the year 2000, and has responded to over 300 disasters in 100 countries providing shelter and life-saving aid to over 1.5 million people. ShelterBox has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019 for projects assisting families displaced by conflict.

Sarah Robinson is the Director of Development of ShelterBox USA, Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief.  She has a love for service and finds ways to help others, as a community volunteer and through her non-profit career.  Sarah is on the boards of The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Rio Grande, where she is immediate past president and a member of the Paul Harris Society. 

She worked for the American Cancer Society for 12 years and was a Vice President there, prior to joining the ShelterBox team. Sarah is here today to share with us about the incredible impact ShelterBox is having for families displaced around the globe.

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Remember to make your donation online to create a generous fund to be used for our local nonprofits who are stepping up to serve the vulnerable people in our community. The Donations Committee is considering how we can make the most impact as Rotarians. Here's a link to step-by-step instructions for donating in ClubRunner.