Crossword Genius

Nothing in the present state provides shelter (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oasis

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shelter' is the definition.
(I know that oasis is a type of shelter)

'nothing in the present state' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'nothing' could be 'o' (looks like zero - 0) and 'o' is found within the answer.
'state' could be 'asis' (I have seen 'current state' mean 'as is' so perhaps 'state' could also mean 'as is') and 'asis' is located in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'provides' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oasis that I've seen before include "flower arranging stuff" , "Fertile place in a desert, watering-hole" , "English rock group in the desert" , "haven for travellers" , "Area of calm amid hectic surroundings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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