"Relief Project" - Transitional Shelters (Phase 1)

Phase 1: Transitional Shelters Project (100 Units)

✅ Implemented by: Shelter, Access, Food & Education Organization (SAFE)
✅ Location: Enjil District, Herat, Afghanistan
✅ Villages Covered: KhajaSarBur & Nowzadiha
✅ Project Duration: November 7 – December 31, 2023
✅ Shelters Built: 100 Transitional Shelters

Project Overview

On October 7, 2023, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Herat Province, leaving thousands homeless. SAFE Organization, with support from GP-UK, SP-Germany, and Pai Engineering, launched this emergency shelter project to provide immediate relief.

The goal was to construct 100 transitional shelters in KhajaSarBur & Nowzadiha, offering safe, insulated, and durable homes before winter.

Project Objectives

✔ Provide secure housing for earthquake-affected families.
✔ Ensure weather-resistant shelters that can withstand wind, rain, and snow.
✔ Engage local laborers to promote community ownership.
✔ Test a scalable shelter model for future disaster response.

1. Community Needs Assessment

SAFE teams, along with government officials, identified 100 of the most vulnerable families in need of housing.

2. Material Procurement & Logistics

A purchasing committee ensured all materials met quality standards. Delays due to currency fluctuations were mitigated by pre-approved vendor agreements.

3. Shelter Construction & Training

  •  Steel frame shelters with three-layer insulation (MDF, Styrofoam, Iron Sheet).
  •   UPVC doors & windows for security.
  •   Initially, each shelter took 4-6 hours to build, later reduced to 2-3 hours.

4. Community Engagement & Handover

Beneficiaries contributed manual labor & local materials to enhance community ownership.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation

Third-party monitoring confirmed that all structures met safety & quality standards.