With countless disasters such as flooding, earthquakes and fires hitting different locations in recent years, these temporary homes have become a familiar sight. Emergency shelters are places where people can live temporarily when their previous residences are no longer available. Their homes may have been destroyed by a typhoon that brought about abnormal amounts of rainfall or wind; they may have been hit by earthquake or fire. The common denominator is that homes and properties are destroyed and hundreds, if not thousands, are left homeless. There is an immediate need to provide immediate alternate housing.

These temporary shelters are often provided by government agencies, organizations such as the Red Cross or community organizations such as the church and civic organizations. Aside from mere shelter, facilities such as water, sanitation and food supply are also expected. These are often provided, but emergency management should not be left for these organizations to take care of. On a personal level, we can help by providing for our own emergency shelters especially if we live in a place that is often visited by disasters. If there is anything these disasters should be able to teach us, it is the fact that we should prepare for them before they occur.