Latest news

June 2020

RSK shelter preparedness for the monsoon and cyclone response

There is a high risk of storm damage to bamboo and tarpaulin shelters in refugee camps during the monsoon period. In the event of a cyclone this damage can be devastating.

RSK preparedness can have a considerable impact on

how well we can respond to widespread cyclone damage.

RSK emergency shelter

May 2020

The assistance that the RSK method of construction can provide in the COVID-19 pandemic

Temporary RSK medical or isolation wards have distinct structural advantages, especially for countries with limited bamboo resources.

The improved ventilation that RSK shelters provide can reduce the the spread of coronavirus.

Physical distancing of families is also something that the RSK shelters can facilitate to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

8 unit temporary RSK shelter

December 2019

RSK shelter appeal

The RSK Charity now has some funding for an RSK shelter pilot.

We recognise that we shall need field assistance and have therefore launched this appeal.

It includes a summary of the impact that this pilot can have on both shelter stakeholders and the environment.

Myanmar Delta village RSK shelter training Photo S.Halbert

September 2019

Building bamboo RSK shelters at the RedR "Hands on Weekend"

This is the third year that RSK have been invited back by RedR UK to take one of their four shelter modules over two days. Participants have the opportunity to have "hands on" experience building bamboo reciprocal frame roof relief shelters and provide valuable practical information for the RSK program. Each team of 4 built their first emergency RSK shelter frame within 45 minutes and teams then came together to build the free standing urban (earthquake) double RSK . Included below is some feedback for participants and all who may be interested.

feedback notes

1. All 8 emergency RSK shelter teams achieved the set target of erecting a makeshift bamboo frame shelter to a high standard of strength and practical use.

2. Teamwork and enthusiasm for building the double RSK urban shelter was outstanding, all got stuck in, and you achieved a freestanding frame that we could manipulate and discuss.

3. The value to the RSK shelter program of the above is considerable. Observing first time builders of the emergency RSK continues to focus and improve how we can present the concept to displaced families. Also, you were only the second group to build the double urban RSK. Although we used the assistance of 2 preset posts because of time constraints, we all agreed that 2 props would have worked as well. This urban double RSK is incidentally not the same as the double RSK which also uses props but has a different frame and anchor methods.

4. One discussion group looked more closely at the function of the two props proposed for the double urban RSK shelter. In particular if they were achieving the support /function as proposed in the detailed specification? (available). Several suggestions were put forward to help improve this support. In this connection I would be very grateful if the participants who had the facility to check some of the loadings / moments of forces acting at the base of these props on a computer model of the structure to get back to me.

5. Finally, some of the groups managed to reach the point of lowering the frame of their shelter to the severe storm low profile option.The positive potential for using it was unanimous. I shall be working on getting the information about this option onto this new website shortly.

Many thanks to you all for a most enjoyable weekend.

Shaun Halbert

RSK Shelter Charity Director