ShelterBox - Aid in a Box

Shelterboxes are sponsored by service clubs, (Rotary Clubs), school and church groups, businesses and individuals, etc. Materials are ordered from a range of suppliers selected for general use, long-life, quality and price. Shelterboxes are prepared and packed using all new materials as delivered from manufacturers, at the Shelterbox warehouse based in Helston, Cornwall. The standard Shelterbox weighs 110 lbs. and has approximate dimensions 33" x 24" x 24". They are sealed and banded for transit and security. Box contents vary depending on the nature of the disaster requiring their use.

Boxes Are sometimes packed with two 10-person tents in them, (to the exclusion of some smaller items, to maximize shelter capacity. Some of the selected Box items that are available for inclusion in the Box are:

The entire contents of a Shelterbox.

One 49 gallon box (The Shelterbox) initially the container for delivery of the materials listed below. Once delivered, can be used as water tank, food store, cot, table, etc.

One domed ten-person tent complete (200 square feet of covered accommodation), including two fabric interior privacy partitions, outer fly-sheet and repair kit. These tents are considered 'winter suitable' by international relief standards.

Vinyl insulated sleeping mats and lightweight thermal blankets. More compact than sleeping bags, these mats and blankets have multiple uses. The blanket can also be fashioned to catch water, as a tarp, etc. while the mat also serves as a ground 'table' for meals, or tent rugs.

Ten envelope-type sleeping bags.

One pack of 180 water purification tablets and one 5 gallon flat-pack water container (Each tablet will purify a full container of water providing 1,800 gallons of clean drinking water which should be sufficient for a family of ten for up to three months).

Two 2.1 gallon, collapsible, plastic water carriers.

One collapsible trenching shovel

Rope, 164 foot

Repellant-treated mosquito netting

Ten PVC Ponchos/ ten HD plastic bags

Tool kit in canvas bag: hachet, jack-knife, screwdriver, hammer, hoe head etc.

Multi-fueled cook stove

Eating utensils: enamel plates/cups

Children's activity kit-simple school supplies, stickers and coloring book

The contents are under continuous review. A small stock of wind-up radios (short-wave and FM) has been obtained to substitute a sleeping bag in every tenth box should such a requirement arise.

For shipping purposes, a large container (40 feet) can accommodate up to 240 Shelterboxes, smaller containers would typically be half the size and quantities. The purpose of Shelter Box USA, Inc. is to provide victims of disaster with shelter, by supporting the efforts of the Shelter Box Trust.

Plans are in development for site-specific Box contents to address varying climate conditions. For example, a tropical disaster site would require sleeping mats and mosquito netting instead of sleeping bags.

Shelter Box is a grassroots Rotary club project which has rapidly grown to an international level.

ShelterBox was set up by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard and all aid is distributed from the base in Cornwall. The charity is supported by international affiliates set up by Rotary clubs in various other countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, France and the USA.