Mobile Folding Container for Refugee Camps address the critical need for rapid, dignified housing in humanitarian crises—where displaced populations often face overcrowded tents, poor sanitation, and exposure to the elements.
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These robust yet portable structures provide safe shelter, storage, and community spaces for displaced populations (refugees, internally displaced persons, or evacuees), prioritizing durability (withstanding harsh climates), hygiene (reducing disease risk), and ease of deployment (no specialized skills needed). Unlike traditional tents (which last 6-12 months and provide minimal protection), they offer long-term protection from the elements (3-5 years of use) while maintaining the flexibility needed in dynamic relief operations—able to be relocated as camp populations shift. Used by organizations like UNHCR and the International Red Cross, they have housed over 5 million refugees in 40+ countries since 2015.
Each 20ft container folds out to accommodate 4-6 people in 160 sq ft of living space (internal dimensions: 5.8m x 2.7m x 2.5m), with 2 privacy partitions (creating 2-3 separate areas for families) and raised flooring (30cm off the ground, made of pressure-treated plywood) to prevent dampness and pests. Ventilation ports (4 per wall, with insect screens) reduce condensation by 40% compared to tent accommodation—critical in humid regions like Bangladesh, where mold growth in tents causes respiratory illnesses. Each unit includes basic furniture: 2-3 bunk beds (metal frames, with thin foam mattresses), 6 storage lockers (0.5m x 0.5m x 1m, for personal items), and a small table (0.8m x 0.6m) with 2 chairs (for eating or studying). Optional add-ons: a small cooking area (with a propane stove and fire extinguisher) and a solar-powered lantern (per person, lasting 8 hours on a charge).
A single cargo ship can transport 200 units (each collapsed into a 20ft container, 10 units per container), which deploy to house 1,200 refugees within 72 hours of arrival—faster than traditional tent camps, which take 1-2 weeks to set up for the same number of people. The folding mechanism requires no tools—residents with minimal training (1 hour of instruction) can set up a unit in 30 minutes using a crank handle (no heavy lifting needed). For emergency situations (like sudden refugee influxes), a team of 10 relief workers can set up 50 units in a day, housing 300 people. Delivery is via truck, helicopter, or even donkey cart (in remote mountainous areas), as collapsed units weigh only 800kg and are easy to maneuver.
Galvanized steel frame (4mm thick, hot-dip coated for corrosion resistance) and 610 gsm PVC cover (flame-retardant, waterproof, and UV-resistant) withstand 3+ years of continuous use in harsh climates—tested in deserts (50°C), cold regions (-10°C), and humid areas (90% humidity). The structure resists wind (70 mph, enough to withstand tropical storms), rain (waterproof rating of 8,000mm), and pests (rodent-proof steel mesh around the base and insect screens on vents). Maintenance is minimal: monthly checks of the frame (tightening loose bolts) and cover (patching small tears with a repair kit provided by the manufacturer). The cover is replaceable (costing $200 per unit) if damaged beyond repair, and the frame lasts 10+ years with annual repainting (using rust-resistant paint).
Optional add-ons improve living conditions and reduce disease transmission:
• Solar-Powered Lighting: 2 LED lights per unit (10W each, charged via a 50W solar panel), providing 12 hours of light—reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety at night
• Water Filtration Stations: 1 per 10 units (removing bacteria and parasites, producing 100L of clean water per hour), reducing waterborne illnesses like cholera by 60%
• Waste Management Systems: 1 composting toilet per 6 units and 1 trash bin per unit (with separate compartments for recyclables), reducing litter and attracting fewer pests
• Hand-Washing Stations: 1 per 5 units (with soap and water, operated via foot pump to avoid touching), promoting hygiene and reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses
• Conflict Zone Relocation: Emergency housing for populations fleeing violence—UNHCR used 10,000 units in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon, with each unit housing a family of 5 and connected to water and sanitation systems
• Natural Disaster Displacement: Temporary shelters after earthquakes, floods, or cyclones—after Cyclone Idai in 2019, 2,000 units were deployed to Mozambique, housing 12,000 survivors with medical clinics and food distribution centers
• Post-Evacuation Housing: Transitional accommodation during reconstruction efforts—after the 2023 Turkey earthquake, 5,000 units were set up as temporary homes while permanent housing was rebuilt
• Refugee Settlement Expansion: Scalable housing as camps grow over time—Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp added 3,000 units in 2022 to accommodate 18,000 new refugees from Somalia
Structures maintain functionality for 3-5 years with basic maintenance—patching small tears in the cover (using the provided repair kit), tightening loose bolts on the frame, and cleaning ventilation ports to prevent blockages. Frames last 10+ years with annual repainting (using epoxy zinc-rich paint to prevent rust), and covers can be replaced every 3 years to extend usability. After 5 years, units can be relocated to new camps or repurposed as storage facilities, schools, or medical clinics—many units used in 2018 for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are still in use in 2024.
Yes, insulation kits (50mm thick closed-cell foam, easy to attach to the frame and cover) add thermal protection, enabling use in temperatures as low as -10°C. Heated mats (electric, 50W, placed under mattresses) keep sleeping areas warm, and insulated door flaps (replacing standard screens) prevent cold air from entering. In regions with heavy snow (like Afghanistan), a snow load kit (reinforced poles for the roof) supports snow loads of 20 lbs/sq ft, preventing collapse. Winterized units were used in Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland during the 2022-2023 winter, with residents reporting comfortable temperatures even when outside was -5°C.
These robust yet portable structures provide safe shelter, storage, and community spaces for displaced populations (refugees, internally displaced persons, or evacuees), prioritizing durability (withstanding harsh climates), hygiene (reducing disease risk), and ease of deployment (no specialized skills needed). Unlike traditional tents (which last 6-12 months and provide minimal protection), they offer long-term protection from the elements (3-5 years of use) while maintaining the flexibility needed in dynamic relief operations—able to be relocated as camp populations shift. Used by organizations like UNHCR and the International Red Cross, they have housed over 5 million refugees in 40+ countries since 2015.
Each 20ft container folds out to accommodate 4-6 people in 160 sq ft of living space (internal dimensions: 5.8m x 2.7m x 2.5m), with 2 privacy partitions (creating 2-3 separate areas for families) and raised flooring (30cm off the ground, made of pressure-treated plywood) to prevent dampness and pests. Ventilation ports (4 per wall, with insect screens) reduce condensation by 40% compared to tent accommodation—critical in humid regions like Bangladesh, where mold growth in tents causes respiratory illnesses. Each unit includes basic furniture: 2-3 bunk beds (metal frames, with thin foam mattresses), 6 storage lockers (0.5m x 0.5m x 1m, for personal items), and a small table (0.8m x 0.6m) with 2 chairs (for eating or studying). Optional add-ons: a small cooking area (with a propane stove and fire extinguisher) and a solar-powered lantern (per person, lasting 8 hours on a charge).
A single cargo ship can transport 200 units (each collapsed into a 20ft container, 10 units per container), which deploy to house 1,200 refugees within 72 hours of arrival—faster than traditional tent camps, which take 1-2 weeks to set up for the same number of people. The folding mechanism requires no tools—residents with minimal training (1 hour of instruction) can set up a unit in 30 minutes using a crank handle (no heavy lifting needed). For emergency situations (like sudden refugee influxes), a team of 10 relief workers can set up 50 units in a day, housing 300 people. Delivery is via truck, helicopter, or even donkey cart (in remote mountainous areas), as collapsed units weigh only 800kg and are easy to maneuver.
Galvanized steel frame (4mm thick, hot-dip coated for corrosion resistance) and 610 gsm PVC cover (flame-retardant, waterproof, and UV-resistant) withstand 3+ years of continuous use in harsh climates—tested in deserts (50°C), cold regions (-10°C), and humid areas (90% humidity). The structure resists wind (70 mph, enough to withstand tropical storms), rain (waterproof rating of 8,000mm), and pests (rodent-proof steel mesh around the base and insect screens on vents). Maintenance is minimal: monthly checks of the frame (tightening loose bolts) and cover (patching small tears with a repair kit provided by the manufacturer). The cover is replaceable (costing $200 per unit) if damaged beyond repair, and the frame lasts 10+ years with annual repainting (using rust-resistant paint).
Optional add-ons improve living conditions and reduce disease transmission:
• Solar-Powered Lighting: 2 LED lights per unit (10W each, charged via a 50W solar panel), providing 12 hours of light—reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety at night
• Water Filtration Stations: 1 per 10 units (removing bacteria and parasites, producing 100L of clean water per hour), reducing waterborne illnesses like cholera by 60%
• Waste Management Systems: 1 composting toilet per 6 units and 1 trash bin per unit (with separate compartments for recyclables), reducing litter and attracting fewer pests
• Hand-Washing Stations: 1 per 5 units (with soap and water, operated via foot pump to avoid touching), promoting hygiene and reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses
• Conflict Zone Relocation: Emergency housing for populations fleeing violence—UNHCR used 10,000 units in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon, with each unit housing a family of 5 and connected to water and sanitation systems
• Natural Disaster Displacement: Temporary shelters after earthquakes, floods, or cyclones—after Cyclone Idai in 2019, 2,000 units were deployed to Mozambique, housing 12,000 survivors with medical clinics and food distribution centers
• Post-Evacuation Housing: Transitional accommodation during reconstruction efforts—after the 2023 Turkey earthquake, 5,000 units were set up as temporary homes while permanent housing was rebuilt
• Refugee Settlement Expansion: Scalable housing as camps grow over time—Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp added 3,000 units in 2022 to accommodate 18,000 new refugees from Somalia
Structures maintain functionality for 3-5 years with basic maintenance—patching small tears in the cover (using the provided repair kit), tightening loose bolts on the frame, and cleaning ventilation ports to prevent blockages. Frames last 10+ years with annual repainting (using epoxy zinc-rich paint to prevent rust), and covers can be replaced every 3 years to extend usability. After 5 years, units can be relocated to new camps or repurposed as storage facilities, schools, or medical clinics—many units used in 2018 for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are still in use in 2024.
Yes, insulation kits (50mm thick closed-cell foam, easy to attach to the frame and cover) add thermal protection, enabling use in temperatures as low as -10°C. Heated mats (electric, 50W, placed under mattresses) keep sleeping areas warm, and insulated door flaps (replacing standard screens) prevent cold air from entering. In regions with heavy snow (like Afghanistan), a snow load kit (reinforced poles for the roof) supports snow loads of 20 lbs/sq ft, preventing collapse. Winterized units were used in Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland during the 2022-2023 winter, with residents reporting comfortable temperatures even when outside was -5°C.
