Rotary and ShelterBox have worked together for more than 20 years, offering aid worldwide to thousands of families that have been devastated by disaster and conflict.
Founded in 2000 by a Rotary member in the United Kingdom, ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to help communities through their toughest times.
Every disaster is different, and every community is different. ShelterBox doesn't believe that one set of solutions works in all situations, so its team members spend time talking with affected families to make sure it can help them in the right way. By putting families first, ShelterBox provides the support families need to transform their own lives.
Partners in aid
ShelterBox and Rotary officially became project partners in disaster relief in 2012. This partnership is instrumental to Rotary's disaster response strategy. One of the most important elements of the relationship is the opportunity for Rotary members to serve countries affected by disasters. Members can also take action by connecting their own communities with disaster-affected communities worldwide. By working together, we're able to combine resources to support areas immediately after a disaster and make a start on long-term recovery.
"So often, with any response, Rotarians and Rotaractors are our first contacts. They help us identify safe and unsafe areas, the right places to set up base. They provide drivers and translators. We wouldn't have the impact we do without the partnership."
— Ned Morris, a member of a ShelterBox response team and the Rotary Club of Walla Walla, Washington, USA
The partnership's impact
Rotary is the cornerstone upon which ShelterBox is built, and remains in the DNA of everything that ShelterBox does. It was a Rotarian's "people of action" spirit that founded ShelterBox in 2000 and because of Rotary's vast global network the two organizations have helped over 1.6 million people in 100 countries. More recently the partnership has ensured that lifesaving shelter and aid has helped families protect from the threat of coronavirus.
Find out more about our impact.
How to get involved
- Rotary members can help ShelterBox with its emergency disaster relief efforts by:
- Connecting ShelterBox response teams with local governments and organizations that are working in a disaster area
- Raising vital awareness and funds to help ShelterBox support communities and families in their recovery
- Volunteering with ShelterBox to educate others about disaster response and advocate for survivors as they start their recovery
- Becoming your club's ShelterBox coordinator to keep up-to-date with developments during an emergency
- Helping with customs and import guidance, liaising with response teams, coordinating transportation or interpretation, or providing other logistical support
- As your partner, ShelterBox can help attract new members and inspire your community through raising awareness of the impact of our partnership around the world. Together we can share stories of hope and resilience from the communities we reach in partnership every year.
Do you want to volunteer with ShelterBox?
To connect with the team - either email RotaryRequest@ShelterBox.org or visit ShelterBox.org. Discover what it takes to become a ShelterBox response team member.
Over one thousand members of ShelterBox's staff and volunteers throughout the organization coming from the Rotary family.
"The partnership between Rotary and ShelterBox provides a place of refuge for vulnerable people to stay as healthy as possible. When it comes to fighting a pandemic, the most vulnerable need our protection – or everyone is at risk. As emergency shelter experts, ShelterBox has a vitally important part to play in the global response to Covid-19."
— John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International