Declared by the UN the best option for Pakistan, we have been successful in implementing this new shelter option. The above pictures are of the bori-shelter homes made by the independant team of our correspondent, Imran Saithna. 1500 bori's were supplied to them by RSD and the shelters were tested by them in Surul Valley.

The warmth generated by the structure was such that even though it was freezing outside, inside you would feel comfortable without a jacket.

Initially the villagers were averse to the idea of building home with boris (plastic/jute/cotton sacks), especially since the team consisted of several foreigners. After the first successful set-up which took approximately two days, even the villagers got excited about the whole idea and loved it.The idea was quick to catch on and now the army has asked assistance in training to build these shelters as well.

Stay tuned for an indepth report from our correspondents on details on setting up bori-shelters.

General properties of Bori-shelter homes:

Insulating: The weight of the bags atop each other makes the shelter almost air proof (hence wind and weather proof, and thereby insulates as well).

Resistance: Waterproof – the sharply rounded roof also makes water skid off of it.

Set-up: They are filled with sand and hay to be used as building blocks. The loosely filled bags are basically stacked up like bricks, igloo style.

Material: Polypropylene, jute or cotton

Cost: Takes 160 20 x 30 sacks to make one Bori Shelter which costs around PKR 2500

Durability: Can be permanent housing solutions.

Project: Surul Valley