Emergency Shelters

Think about how long you need shelter and how quickly it must be usable. Tents with aluminum or steel frames work well for short-term housing, inflatable systems excel for rapid-response deployment, and container housing—often in 20-foot units—suits medium to long-term displacement.

Match capacity to the number of occupants: traditional tents range from single-person to family-sized, while inflatable systems offer scalable designs for larger groups. For semi-permanent needs, pre-fabricated quick cabins around 10 by 10 feet or 20-foot container units provide more full living space and privacy.

Laminated polyethylene performs very well in extreme hot and cold climates because it offers superior durability, moisture resistance, and UV resistance. These laminated systems also hold up to moderately strong winds better than standard fabrics, making them a solid choice for harsh environments.

Inflatable systems are designed for speed: a two-person team can deploy tents for many families quickly, with examples showing deployment capacity for up to 20 families within an hour. Keep in mind some inflatable setups may need generator access for inflation and powering support equipment.

For cold-weather deployments, pick shelters that include winterization kits with insulated liners, partitions, chimney sleeves, and insulating mats to retain heat. UNHCR family tents and SIPS-based options pair those kits with robust materials or tool-free panel assembly to boost thermal performance and long-term durability.