STOCKHOLM, 6 MAY 2026 – Better Shelter welcomed UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo and representatives from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs to their development site in Stockholm .
The visit followed Alexander De Croo’s recent trip to Gaza, where he met families now living in transitional homes from Better Shelter after losing their own.
“I’ve seen their impact first hand during a recent visit to Gaza. They are being used by families, as classrooms, and as clinics supporting communities through recovery.”
Alexander De Croo , UNDP Administrator
During the visit in Stockholm, Better Shelter Managing Director Johan Karlsson shared more about the development behind the shelters and how flat-pack shelters can quickly be assembled into safe and private spaces for people affected by conflict and displacement, with a roof, walls, and a door with a lock, even if only temporarily.
Today, the shelters in Gaza are being used not only as homes, but also as clinics and classrooms helping families find a safer place to sleep, recover, and rebuild daily life while waiting for permanent homes to be restored.
“200,000 relief housing units or pre-fab houses are needed in Gaza to support displaced families. ”
Alexander De Croo , UNDP Administrator
Ongoing support in Gaza through partnerships
Nearly 90% of the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, and many families have had to move more than once. Homes and infrastructures have been destroyed, leaving people without a safe place to live.
Many people are in urgent need of somewhere to live until a permanent home can be rebuilt.
Work in Gaza is already underway through partnerships with UNDP and support from Sweden, Germany through KfW Development Bank, South Korea, and other partners. Thousands of shelters from Better Shelter have been delivered to Gaza, and hundreds are already being used as homes, clinics, and classrooms.
To help ensure safe assembly and installation, Better Shelter has also provided technical support and assembly training adapted to local conditions.
Thank you to all partners supporting efforts to provide families with safer places to live and helping communities take important first steps toward recovery.
About Better Shelter
Better Shelter is a Swedish non-profit foundation that develops temporary shelter for people who have lost their homes in conflicts and disasters around the world. Better Shelter has delivered close to 100,000 homes to more than 90 countries, in partnership with organisations including UNHCR, UNDP, the Red Cross, and the IKEA Foundation.
