I don't really get the point of this bed, how is it better than sleeping on the ground? The only reasons I can think of are insulation (which just a couple sheets of cardboard would do well, a 50% savings on material), and keeping away from pests like mice and cockroaches. Granted, those are decent reasons, but I wonder if spending the money elsewhere for disaster relief would be better. Am I missing something?

It can be hard to get up from the ground without assistance especially if you’re injured or old.

Also, an elevated position makes it easier for medical staff to check on patients.

In addition to your reasons, and sibling's 'easier to get up', I'd add:

- does actually look much more comfortable than the ground to me. The middle would give a bit into the cavity of the base, it's not just a sheet on the ground as I imagined reading your comment.

- being raised makes it easier for medical personnel to attend to any injuries etc.

- looks like a more clearly delimited arrangement, I imagine it would more easily become difficult to walk around people sleeping on the floor, as they'd sprawl out, lose the organised grid arrangement, etc.

But I don't have any relevant experience to comment on how important any of that is, or if it's the best way to spend whatever cardboard beds cost in such a scenario.

> keeping away from pests like mice and cockroaches.

Not so much:

Cockroaches will seek out cardboard as a form of shelter.

https://www.cockroachzone.com/why-are-cockroaches-attracted-...

Could be good for hygiene for patients to not sleep on the floor though disinfecting a cardboard bed could be hard

Single-use / regularly replaced disposable beds might be more hygienic in practice than to hope the staff has enough time for thorough disinfection.

Have you ever slept on the ground? The air is a lot colder at ground level than even a foot or two above.

It's the ground itself that's cold and saps the heat out of your body (and probably the surrounding air)

Both are true. That's why being off the ground is better than sleeping on it, insulated or not.

Tbh those look like they might collapse if you don't sleep still on your back, without tossing and turning. It doesn't really seem like a great fit for disaster relief for people who are under severe stress. If I were assigned one of those beds I think I'd lay it flat on the floor just so I don't have to worry about falling in the middle of the night.