Disasters – whatever the cause – often result in huge numbers of people left homeless. The initial challenge is usually medical aid and making sure everyone has access to water and food. However, another essential is shelter - because without protection from the elements survival can be a real battle, particularly for the young, old and infirm.
To deal with this specific challenge, ShelterBox was launched by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in the UK in April 2000 and the first boxes sent to India in January 2001. Now, ShelterBox has become one of the most effective aid agencies in the world, and is still administered by Rotary.
In April an underwater earthquake registering 8.0 on the Richter scale caused a tsunami to hit the Solomon Islands. The epicentre of the quake was just 25 miles from the island of Gizo, leaving 5,000 people homeless. Almost immediately, 200 ShelterBoxes were flown from the UK to Brisbane, then transported to the capital, Honiara, and then a further 200 miles by sea to Gizo, making the final stage of the journey by canoe – providing shelter for 2,000 people.
Each ShelterBox contains a dry weatherproof shelter, a warm bed, collapsible containers and water purification, cooking equipment, including a multi-fuel stove, and eating utensils, a practical toolkit and a children’s pack – for 10 people.
Shelterbox Australia News:
Australian donations have more than doubled this year (2008) to an astonishing $2.4 million, after a record $1.14 million in 2006-07. Even before the tragic events in Burma then China, donations were 30% more than at the same time in 2007, so another record was anticipated.
Donations to ShelterBox Australia are approaching $5 million – in only 4 years.
ShelterBox Australia will have provided some 2,000 boxes … just in this year! And that of course means we will provide vital humanitarian assistance to more than 20,000 people in desperate need in our world. It is a remarkable achievement made possible not only by the generosity of Australian Rotarians, friends, businesses and other organisations but also the dedicated and selfless work done by our representatives in Australia’s 23 Rotary Districts.
Shelter Box Australia
Shelter Box International