There are reports of an estimated 5 million people in Sichuan province displaced from their homes and in need of basic shelter. They are unable to move into permanent structures either because remaining structures are not safe or because they were wiped out altogether. Particularly in small towns and villages, tents are the immediate answer now and into the summer.

Existing tent manufacturers are trying to meet the increased demand but many tents in use now are made from materials that keep in heat and thus won’t hold up as well in the long term.  Other tents being constructed by individuals are being made out of cheap woven plastic material—the material is not waterproof and is a very temporary solution.

There is a need NOW and will be a need throughout the summer and fall for cost-effective locally-produced shelters that can hold up through rain, hot sun, and storms.

What we’re doing
British industrial designer Luke Cardew has previously studied and designed emergency relief shelters. He has returned to Shanghai to design an inexpensive and environmentally responsible local “kit” made out of bamboo and a low-tech durable plastic that can be constructed on-site into spacious temporary shelters to house six to twelve people for up to one year. The shelters have many benefits over conventional tents being cheaper, more spacious and better ventilated (download PDF shelter specifications sheet). Friends Alistair Kille, Sam Keam, Cynthia, Li, Anne Halvorson, Rebecca Pasquali, Kim Chu, and a team from Wieden + Kennedy are joining together to help source the kits, raise money, maintain a blog, and deliver shelter kits to victims in need throughout Sichuan (with a focus first on smaller villages further away from aid stations).

The final Prototype has been tested and refined on the lawn of Island6. Luke and Sam will head to Chengdu on June 02 to test ten prototype shelters and make any further adjustments to the design while the team back in Shanghai prepare to produce and deliver more.

How you can help
Buy a shelter for 500RMB (price may vary slightly depending on material suppliers and transport costs). Track the progress of the project on our blogsite as shelters are produced and shipped to affected communities in Sichuan. Donations will be taken on our behalf by Hands On Disaster Response (HODR), a US-based, volunteer-staffed, non-profit organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, Tax ID # 20-3414952. Or if you wish to contribute in a different way please contact Anne Halvorson at anne.halvorson@wk.com or +86 138 186 36611.

An important note on buying a shelter or any donations to iboughtashelter.com:
While field testing in Chengdu we will be collaborating with HODR as they conduct an initial assessment of the situation in Sichuan including their/our ability to make a difference in light of current relief efforts. If, through their assessment we learn that existing relief efforts are not able to integrate our shelters, we will redirect shelter donations to an effective charity on the ground. In other words…if the red tape becomes too thick we’ll call off the dogs!…but your money will still go towards a relief effort we trust to do the job well! Please consider this in making your donation. Thank you!