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Oxfam International is having to innovate to fill the gaps in shelter provision for the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by the recent Asian earthquake.

The current lack of thermal tents combined with the massive logistical challenges in getting aid to the most inaccessible areas is putting thousands of victims of the quake in danger.

"The lack of easily available tents means we're having to think of new ways of doing things and fast. We've already taken over a tent factory in Pakistan but we're also looking for other solutions. In India we've just designed and built a shelter that ordinary people can put together from locally available materials. These temporary shelters could house thousands and be the difference between life and death," said Ashok Prasad, an Oxfam aid worker.

The temporary shelters have been five years in development. They have been tested in cold storage warehouses and in wind tunnels:

• They are low in cost around $140 per unit (tent is roughly $250 for 5 persons)
• Sleep a family of 6 people.
• Use only locally available materials, - plastic sheeting, ordinary plastic piping, felt insulation, rope. (Oxfam has checked and all of these are available on the local markets.)
• The tunnel shaped design maximises internal living space, especially important for the winter when long periods will be spent inside the tent.
• Well insulated. They retain heat better than tents with their felt lining and layers designed to trap air.
• They are easy and quick to construct and require no tools to put together

"What makes these shelters so good is that they are easy to assemble, low in cost, the materials can be bought locally and most of all they are warm. We've already shared these designs with local people, other aid agencies and local officials and the response has been universally positive. The shelter challenge is massive and we're going to have to continue to innovate to overcome all the challenges, " added Prasad.

To donate to Oxfam Ireland's Appeal locall 1890 60 60 65 (ROI) 0845 303 0337 (NI) or call into any of Oxfam's 44 shops throughout the country, donate online at www.oxfamireland.org





Editors Notes
For interviews or further information please contact:

Media Contact details:

• Oxfam's In India: Aditi Kapoor on + 91 981 030 6200
  
  • Oxfam's Paul Van Tongeren in Islamabad on + 31 651 573 683
  • Oxfam's Naureen Khan in Urdu, naureen_oxfam@hotmail.com Mobile 92 300 85 60 632.

For interivews with
Oxfam Ireland's Executive Director Brian Scott, or Michael O Riordan Oxfam Irelands Humanitarian Programme Coordinator, please contact Oxfam Ireland's media officer Paul Dunphy on 01 6040706/0879058075

Uachtarán na hÉireann:
Mary McAleese today met with representatives of the main Irish agencies carrying out relief work in Pakistan in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake.

On behalf of Oxfam Ireland, Chief Executive Dr Brian Scott described the organisation's work in six affected regions, where it has identified a total of 30,000 families (300,000 people) in especial and urgent need. Oxfam has already begun delivery of winter tents, blankets, hygiene supplies, and jerrycans, and over the weekend, four aid flights bringing 40 tons of water tanks and purification equipment, 28,000 water buckets and 30,000 blankets arrived in the area.

Oxfam has also an exclusive contract with a tent-making factory in Lahore to produce 20,000 tents. The President commended Oxfam and the other agencies for their much-needed efforts on the ground.

For a picture of the shelter or with any difficulties with contacting the above please Contact Oxfam Ireland's Media Officer Paul Dunphy on 01 6040706/0879058075

Further information and updates at www.oxfamireland.org

Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International a confederation of 12 Oxfam's worldwide.

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