World Health Organisation
reported in 2017*
that the highest proportion (24%)
of recorded deaths in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps was due to acute respiratory infections
and in children under 5 years this increased to 31%
These deaths from acute respiratory infections are partly due to families living in overcrowded, poorly ventilated shelters that are built low to the ground out of necessity.
The RSK shelter with its higher roof and improved ventilation can potentially reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infection and thereby save lives.
Traditional shelters Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2017
in order to understand the ventilation problem we need to first look at the causes
traditionally built shelters are very different to the makeshift shelters built by displaced families in the camps
these shelters, like this field hospital, are stronger and higher and include effective ventilation at eaves level
they also require skills to build them and use relatively large amounts of bamboo
MSF field hospital ward Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2018
in a disaster situation bamboo resources are often limited
and people have to use a lattice of split bamboo or canes for their shelter roof
the roof has to be built "in place" overhead but is invariably not strong enough to be climbed upon
the result is a realtively weak structure that is built low to the ground
Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2017
this is partly due to the overhanging roof lattice and partly due to the limited amount of bamboo available
it is this difficulty, together with a need for privacy in these low level shelters, that often results in any gaps along the eaves being sealed. This reduces ventilation still further.
Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2018
when relative humidity exceeds 70% in these poorly ventilated shelters
and the air breathed inside these shelters becomes a serious health hazard
Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2018
the RSK shelter can help to address these ventilation problems
it uses 33% less bamboo than any equivalent shelter
and only complete bamboo poles are used for the roof frame that is lashed together on the ground before being lifted onto corner posts
making it easier to build a shelter with a higher roof
Cox's Bazar RSK at MSF field hospital Photo S.Halbert 2018
the RSK uses 33% less bamboo than any equivalent shelter
no split bamboo, only complete bamboo poles are used for the roof frame
the result is a stronger load bearing structure that can be built higher off the ground and with ventilation gaps at eaves level
Cox's Bazar RSK at MSF field hospital Photo S.Halbert 2018
each RSK roof frame is supported by 4 corner posts
unlike a traditionally built shelter there is no roof lattice or central support posts lashed to the side beams
this provides a clear space underneath the eaves that facilitates the building of ventilation gaps
this high level "through ventilation" creates a much healthier living space
and the effect is enhanced by the ability of the RSK roof to support a layer of insulation and make a cooler shelter
Diagram to illustrate eaves level ventilation in an RSK shelter
Cox's Bazar Photo S.Halbert 2017
by improving ventilation the RSK can help to reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections and save lives