In November 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota devasted swaths of southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, concluding the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history.

The islands of Santa Catalina and Providencia are geographically located on the western coast of the Caribbean sea, however removed from mainland South America, belong to the San Andrés y Providencia Department of Colombia. After the category five-hurricane Iota reached the islands in late 2020, 98 percent of Providencia’s infrastructure became damaged and 13 people were killed. Before the end of the year, thousands of children, women and men were displaced from their homes to temporary shelters.

UNHCR took part in relief efforts to shelter the displaced communities by donating 90 RHUs. With the support of implementing partners at UNOCHA, the RHUs were used by families as temporary shelters as construction efforts to rebuild their homes continue.