Today, when a disaster occurs, displaced families receive a tarpaulin but no frame to support it.
Families then struggle to build the roof of their shelter.
Most families try to build a traditional roof made from split bamboo or canes. Without the required skills these shelters are poorly constructed and relatively weak structures that put the family at further risk of storm damage or collapse.
Bamboo lattice shelters are also difficult for families to create ventilation gaps at eaves level. This poor ventilation in overcrowded camps causes serious health problems.
Bangladesh 2018
These lattice roofs are highly combustible and present an increased fire risk.
Koshi River disaster Nepal 2008
Many families resort to building simple "A" frame structures. Although these structures are easier to build the living space is cramped and severely limited with little headroom.
Koshi river disaster Nepal 2008
The RSK reciprocal frame roof uses only strong and complete bamboo poles. It requires no special skills and is easy to assemble. These shelters are built with higher roofs to improve living space and are easier to create ventilation openings at eaves level. In a severe storm the roof can be lowered within minutes to the low wind profile "storm shelter". Complete bamboo poles are less combustible than a bamboo lattice and this together with rapid disassembly to create fire breaks reduces the risk of fire and its spread.
Inside RSK shelter at UNHCR training Myanmar 2017