South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has launched a new emergency pop-up shelter system that combines humanitarian and military experience, design expertise and manufacturing know-how to offer better and safer accommodations for refugees worldwide.
The innovative shelter system, called “Humanihut”, was masterminded by inventor Neale Sutton with the help of a $77,000 grant provided through the State Government’s Innovation Voucher Program.
Speaking at the launch of the Humanihut, Premier Weatherill said the Program supports innovation in the State’s manufacturing sector by partnering businesses with organisations that have research and development capability.
“The Humanihut is an example of the kind of innovation needed to transform our State’s economy,” Mr Weatherill said.
Mr Sutton, who has thirty years’ experience as an Australian Army Officer and has worked in conflict zones, said the shelter system used an innovative pop-up design to provide accommodation as well as bathroom, laundry and community facilities.
“The Humanihut is an all-in-one, out-of-the-box solution that provides accommodation, toilet and showering facilities and integrates necessary services such as fresh water, sewerage disposal and power. It is a cost-effective, innovative solution that has the potential to save international aid agencies millions of dollars,” Mr Sutton said.
“By providing clean water and shelter, the Humanihut helps prevent health problems such as malaria and water-borne diseases that kill thousands of refugees every year. The company has brought together a group of like-minded Australians who want to do the right thing to support those worst affected by the global refugee crisis.”
The Humanihut was developed over the course of three years and can also be used to support communities in Australia in the event of natural disasters.
The company has already secured orders for its sister product, the “Cargohut”, and will begin production of the emergency pop-up shelters in March 2016.
