A strategic chain of worldwide aid storage facilities is being set up by the Helston-based ShelterBox charity in order to get help to disaster victims even more quickly.

The plans have been given a major boost by the international logistics firm DHL, which is working with ShelterBox to position the aid at key locations around the globe.

The charity, which only began operations in 2001, has already provided help for approaching 500,000 people in 33 countries in response to natural and other disasters ranging from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami to massive floods in Bolivia earlier this year.

Until now, all aid has been sent from the UK and consignments of the charity's shelter boxes - containing tents and other emergency survival gear - often have to travel enormous distances to get where they are needed.

Although this has not stopped the charity, which has often been one of the first aid agencies to reach disaster victims, ShelterBox is now setting up container facilities at five locations that will allow it to pre-position some of its boxes at key strategic locations.

Using shipping containers that can each hold emergency aid for more than 2,000 people, storage points have now been set up in Nairobi and Melbourne, while others are in the process of being established in Panama, Dubai and Indonesia.

ShelterBox founder and general manager Tom Henderson said: "This is a major step forward for ShelterBox. We pride ourselves on getting aid where it is needed as quickly as possible and our record so far has been very good.

"But in a disaster situation, time is of the essence. Shelter is one of the key aid requirements and the faster we can get it there the better the survival chances of disaster victims."

He explained: "Being able to pre-position aid means we can send boxes to the new stores by sea, significantly reducing transport costs. These locations are all key transport hubs for different regions of the world and, when a disaster does strike, we can then draw on aid from whichever store is closest.

"Although in the case of a major disaster we will probably send additional boxes from the UK, this means we will have an initial consignment that we can get in on the ground in an even shorter time."

John Brough, aid and relief manager for DHL Global Forwarding said: "DHL has worked closely with ShelterBox to identify locations that are both practical and strategic.

"DHL also manages supplies of shelter boxes and equipment on a regular basis in support of ongoing relief deployments and we are delighted to be able to support their work with our logistics services."

Recent emergencies that ShelterBox has responded to include the Solomons tsunami, flooding in Kenya and Bolivia, and severe typhoon damage in the Philippines. For more information about the charity call 01326 569782 or visit www.shelterbox.org.