Shelter is never more important than in times of crisis. A house can be any family’s largest asset, especially for those who are poor and vulnerable. The loss of a house leaves people who are already living on the edge exposed to ill health, poor security, indignity and poverty.
When emergencies strike, CARE works to meet people's basic shelter needs: protection from the elements, security and a base for their livelihoods. Our emergency response fund, resources and specialist staff, allow us to provide fast, effective disaster relief to communities, buying material locally where possible. But our rapid response to emergencies is only the beginning.
When we support families to find shelter we are doing more than just providing walls and a roof. Secure shelter is a catalyst for enabling families to recover from emergencies. Shelter provides security and dignity through privacy. Shelter protects health and supports access to water and sanitation services.
Shelter is one of three focus sectors where CARE is committed to developing specialised emergency capacity for humanitarian response.
Changing climate
Mass migration is set to increase. Climate change is one of the main drivers of displacement.
People do not always loose their homes because they are destroyed. They may migrate to avoid new climatic hazards, to find natural resources, to avoid conflict caused by lack of resources and other factors.
Even where displacement does not occur, traditional building practices can become inadequate for resisting increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions. Poorly built structures may be destroyed.
After a disaster
After a disaster, we remain with communities to help them rebuild their homes long after the TV cameras have gone. We help families prepare for and minimise the impact of emergencies through transitional shelters, supporting their return home and improving the construction of their houses and community buildings.
We help communities to learn to live with the risk to their homes. Our projects range from spatial planning, to improved construction and security of land rights, from infrastructure repair to supporting home based businesses.
