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We're making the world's most important home delivery. Join us by donating to provide emergency shelters for families displaced by conflict and disasters.

Donate today

Why do millions of families make the difficult decision to leave their home, belongings, and daily routines behind? Why do they make treacherous journeys across jungles, deserts and waters to an uncertain future? When their life is at stake, they have no choice.

With growing conflict and disasters, there are now over 100 million people living in displacement. Our unique flat-pack shelters are designed to reach the next humanitarian emergency as quickly as possible.

Your donation will help us make the world's most important home delivery.

Donate a part of a shelter

*All parts purchased through the shop are symbolic, to ensure that our resources reach the people who need them most.

We develop temporary shelters that offer displaced people safety and dignity on their path toward a life in peace in a permanent home.

About us

Frequently asked questions

100% of your donation will be used to fund (parts of) a shelter and/or shipping of a shelter to one of our projects. All parts purchased through the shop are symbolic, to ensure that our resources reach the people who need them most.

The shelter is 17.5 m2 (L 5.68 m x W 3.32 m x H 2.83 m) and designed for five residents, in accordance with humanitarian standards.

The roof and wall panels are made of a plastic foam and the frame is made of steel. It is designed for contexts with an urgent need for shelter but without access to local building materials. The shelter's roof and walls can be replaced by local materials would they become available at a later stage.

The Structure frame is made of steel. 

Minimum three years, but the lifespan also depends on where and how the shelter is used and maintained. It is designed to be upgraded over time with local material which will extends its lifespan significantly. 

The frame lasts for at least ten years, and the entire shelter's lifespan will depend on the wall and roof material used, the building techniques and the maintenance of the shelter.

We work in close collaboration with a wide network of non governmental organisations and UN agencies around the world. We provide the shelters, guidance and support, and our partners make sure that the shelters reach the families and the programs in the greatest need.

Yes. While it was developed as temporary housing, thousands of shelters serve as health clinics, child friendly spaces, offices, classrooms and even libraries.

Better Shelter is a Swedish non-profit organisation owned by the philanthropic Housing for All Foundation, which was established by the IKEA Foundation (the IKEA company's philanthropic arm). Better Shelter is driven by a mission to achieve social impact and improve people's lives – not to make profit.

We collaborate with some of the world's leading agencies, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), The Red Cross and UNICEF. Find out more about us here.