Implementing Shelter and Water Solutions in Disaster Relief

Two of the readings this week highly resonated with me. Both articles address significant problems I have personally seen, while conducting disaster relief operations in the U.S. Navy. Specifically, shelter and drinking water are significant issues for populations impacted by disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Based on my experiences, I believe that disaster response organizations are not implementing optimal solutions to solve these two difficult problems.

Beyond alleviating the refugee housing dilemma identified by Shane Snow [1], systems like the Ikea Foundation designed shelter could provide great utility to people displaced by natural disasters. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are recent examples of disasters that leave thousands of people without shelter. Numerous other natural disasters occur every year, around the world, displacing millions more.  The immediate need of disaster displaced victims is adequate shelter from the elements. Most of the organizations that I have worked with employ limited capability and capacity to provide effective shelters. Tents are a commonly employed solution, due to low costs and transportability. However, as noted by Snow, tents can pose a host of challenges, including lack of durability and temperature control.[1] Disaster relief organizations need access to more effective means of providing shelter to victims.

In a similar vein, the water-purifying solutions presented by Rebecca Paul [2], could serve the drinking water needs of disaster victims. Hurricanes create flooding and contamination of freshwater sources. Earthquakes can disrupt existing water infrastructure. Many people become desperate for water after a disaster. Those in water distressed regions may end up using and drinking contaminated water, which increases medical problems. Violence could also be a result of people struggling to get access to water. Bottled water, which is costly and difficult to deliver to many areas, is a solution that poses substantial challenges and obvious environmental drawbacks. Fresh water remains a major hurdle for disaster relief organizations.

RealRelief is an organization that offers an array of solutions for those in need of relief [3], including refugees and disaster victims. These types of social innovations could generate significant impact, if they were to be effectively implemented during disaster relief response. The materials and technology are rapidly evolving to create cheaper and higher quality alternatives for temporary shelter and fresh water. How can companies and social entrepreneurs help the U.S. military, FEMA, and other global disaster response organizations implement such simple, but effective, solutions for fresh water and shelter?

[1] Snow, Shane. 2013. "A New Ingeniously Designed Shelter For Refugees–Made By Ikea." Fast Company. June 26. Accessed September 9, 2017. https://www.fastcompany.com/2682416/a-new-ingeniously-designed-shelter-for-refugees-made-by-ikea.

[2] Paul, Rebecca. 2013. "6 Water-purifying Devices for Clean Drinking Water in the Developing World." inhabitat.com. November 8. Accessed September 9, 2017. http://inhabitat.com/6-water-purifying-devices-for-clean-drinking-water-in-the-developing-world/.
[3] 2017. RealRelief: Life Saving Products. Accessed September 10, 2017. http://www.realreliefway.com/en-us/life-saving-products.