Relocatable Buildings Offer an Alternative to Disaster Relief Tents

When Hurricane Katrina stormed through Louisiana in 2005, nobody could have predicted the extent of its devastation. Over the past decade, more than 1 million people have moved from the Gulf Coast to other parts of the country. Some analysts believe the storm will ultimately cost the U.S. economy more than $150 billion. However, these long-term issues pale in comparison to the day-to-day struggles faced by Katrina survivors in the first two years after the storm.

A Lack of Resources

In the immediate aftermath, disaster relief agencies funneled basic supplies such as food and water to survivors who hadn't fled the Gulf Coast. Tents sprang up by the tens of thousands, but they offered little in the way of room, comfort, or protection. These poor living conditions contributed to health problems, which were exacerbated by large mosquito populations in late August.

An Alternative Solution

Instead of using tents as temporary shelter solutions, disaster relief agencies can use prefabricated buildings to offer a more viable solution. Relocatable buildings are extremely durable and setup times are exceptionally short which results in a quick and dependable recovery. They can also be refurbished and reconfigured for future use.

The government has already made great use of prefabricated buildings in response to a natural disaster. Prefabricated courthouses, health clinics, and police stations provide the institutions people rely on every day, and help to prevent disaster zones from dissolving into chaos.