Innovation in the Non-Profit Sector

ShelterBox

Empowering Response Teams to Lead

In a Disaster

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In March 2011 Shelterbox deployed 200 green boxes to the victims of the Bolivia Floods helping over 2,000 people. In the photo A camp of ShelterBox tents. Photo from shelterbox.org

A look inside the box. Photo from shelterbox.org

Home is a place we can rely on for comfort. Much more than an address, our house acts as the

headquarters to all activities that make up our personal lives. In most of the world the home provides security

from the outside world, enjoyment, and a place that calls for our constant care and attention. It demonstrates to

society that the residents are plugged into the community and its services. Unfortunately this essential part of life

can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Every year significant natural disasters destroy entire communities

within seconds, leaving thousands of people stranded in their own town without safety, shelter, or clean water.

The ShelterBox Mission Helping provide shelter and life saving

equipment for survivors of natural and

manmade disasters is the sole purpose of

ShelterBox. For over 10 years they have

orchestrated a global effort that involves hundreds

of volunteers with the mission to deliver

“emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people

affected by disaster worldwide”. This non-profit

organization recruits and trains hundreds of

proactive volunteers from all parts of the world.

What is in the ShelterBox? The iconic “ShelterBox” is a green plastic chest weighing

approximately 50 kg that is waterproof and durable and can be carried

by hand. The boxes have been carried by people wading through water,

on boats, personal vehicles, and even by camels. Each box contains

essential supplies needed to create a temporary, comfortable, safe home.

The contents are essential home

and safety i tems for people who

have lost everything.

The items will vary slightly by region but one box can provide 10 people with necessary supplies.

In The Box o Custom tents that sleeps up to 10 persons

o Serving Dishes

o Portable Stove o Building Tool Set

o Water purification system o Mosquito Nets

o Children’s activity pack / play kit o Blankets

o First aid kit

Core Values

Helping Others

Giving Shelter

Providing Comfort

Giving Safety

Clean Water

A dry home

Relief from distress

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Shelterbox Scout Experience May 2011. Photo from shelterbox.org

In August 2005 a Category 1 Hurricane devastated parts of New Orleans

Louisiana. Shelterbox deployed and deliver 1,320 boxes helping over 13,200

disaster victims obtain temporary shelter and supplies.

The delivery of the ShelterBoxes would not be possible without the group of volunteers known as the ShelterBox Response Team or SRT. Not everyone can bear the challenges of navigating through rugged areas where infrastructure is damaged and human suffering is prevalent. For these reasons the organization has adopted a simple yet rigorous screening process that allows only the most resourceful, hard working leaders to fulfill the mission of ShelterBox. Volunteers responding to a disaster need to figure out on the spot how to get the supplies to victims quickly. This is why creativity and innovative thinking are important qualities for response teams. Additionally SRT’s are given the autonomy necessary to go out into the field and create a new delivery strategy that is unique to each situation.

“Keep it Simple, Do It Now” the S RT moto

SRT’s learn about disasters by monitoring media outlets around

the world and within their surrounding areas. Once a member is

made aware of the disaster they begin to assess whether the event

requires the deployment of ShelterBoxes to help the victims.

Once the decision is made to send help, one of the 6

prepositioned ShelterBox warehouses worldwide will

release their supplies to SRT’s who will travel with the

boxes and deliver them to the victims directly.

Creating Networks When it comes to delivering the much

needed supplies to victims, efficiency and the

creative use of resources outside of the

ShelterBox organization is key. A part of the

SRT’s job while in a disaster area is to invent

ways of delivering boxes to their destination.

For example on a recent Haiti Earthquake

relief mission SRT’s teamed up with the 80

second airborne of the U.S. military to

deliver ShelterBoxes to thousands of victims.

Another SRT may need to build a relationship

with a local tribal leader in order to deliver

relief supplies to the tribe.

In 2010 Virgin Atlantic Airlines flew aid

into Haiti in support of ShelterBox’s efforts in the country. Members of stricken communities have helped efforts by

transporting the boxes using their own boats, animals, rickshaws, and trucks. Building connections with local

authorities and aid organizations is crucial to the success of every mission. Giving ground volunteers the freedom to

make new connects is a sustainable core value that encourages success.

“Innovation does not always have to be linked with technology. Encouraging autonomy and

flexibility to first response teams in a disaster is what makes

ShelterBox Innovative”

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November 2010 ShelterBox deployed 700 green boxes to the

victims of the Indonesian earthquake and tsunami helping

7,700 people. Photo of a family inside one of the ShelterBox

tents. Photo from shelterbox.org

Sources of Funding ShelterBox depends on donations from businesses, schools,

rotary clubs, and individuals to sponsor every ShelterBox. Each

green box comes with a unique ID number that can be tracked

on the website so donors know where the box is being

delivered. People can visit shelterbox.org and start their own

“Justgiving” charity fundraising webpage. Additionally the

organization hosts fundraising challenges that can inspire people

to participate in a fun and creative way like the “The Splinter

Bike Challenge”.

An important contributor to ShelterBox success is

its parent organization, the International Rotary Club.

A nonprofit organization with 1.2 million members worldwide

and a commitment “to Service Above Self”. Started in 1905 by

a group of visionary men in Chicago, Illinois, it has become an

important international advocacy group supporting today’s

most pressing global causes. ShelterBox USA is currently the

largest Rotary Club Project in the USA.

Over 107,400 ShelterBoxes have been deployed since the charity was started by Tom Henderson in 2000. This means approximately 1,074,000 people’s lives have been touched by the Organization’s efforts.

ShelterBox currently has 18 affiliates worldwide including

ShelterBox USA. The organization has managed to develop a system

of recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers in a manner simple

enough for its leaders to execute in any part of the world under

extreme conditions. Much of the operational success has been the

result of giving ground volunteers the freedom to react to their

current situation without having to follow a strict manual for

directions. The design, size and weight of the ShelterBox has also

allowed aid to arrive to even the most remote areas.

ShelterBox has distinguished itself as the only charity organization to offer both shelter and supplies. Through the

ShelterBox kids training, disaster awareness programs hosted by grade school teachers and, by teaming up with the

Scouts Organization, the next generation of strong volunteers will emerge. The core value to “ deliver emergency

shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide” is sustainable and is meant to overcome new

challenges that will come in the way of the Shelter Box Response Teams.

Resources: ShelterBox USA, www.shelterboxusa.org The Rotary Club, www.rotary.org Personal Phone Interview with Emily Sperling, President ShelterBox USA, Monday June 27, 2011. Presenter: sandra1158@gmail.com

A need was met by

ShelterBox: Find a simple

way to get emergency

temporary homes to

victims in need of disaster

relief.