Emergency shelter for thousands of people has begun to arrive in Bangladesh from the disaster relief agency ShelterBox.
However, the charity – which is supported by Rotary clubs around the world – says far more help is needed and is appealing for public help.
ShelterBox specialises in providing emergency accommodation and other survival essentials to disaster victims. Aid is delivered in pre-packaged kits – ‘ShelterBoxes’ – each designed to help a family of 10 survive for at least six months.
So far, the charity has committed 630 of its boxes to Banglades hand is sending a response team to ensure the aid – worth more than £250,000 – reaches those families most in need. Each box contains a 10-person tent, blankets, cooking equipment, water containers, tools and other essentials.
ShelterBox founder and chief executive Tom Henderson said: "The scale of the disaster in Bangladesh is still unfolding but present estimates are of more than 3,000 people dead, 1,000 missing and up to one million affected.
"So far, we’ve got enough aid for more than 6,000 people on the way to Bangladesh but much more help is needed. This is a huge disaster and there are tens of thousands of families in Bangladesh that have lost everything – including a roof over their heads."
Cyclone Sidr slammed into Bangladesh last Thursday afternoon, with 150mph winds creating a 15ft (5m) high storm surge that overwhelmed coastal defences, swamping towns and villages.
Mr Henderson added: "We get huge support through the worldwide Rotary organisation but we need the public to get behind us as well if we are to get more help to victims of the disaster."
ShelterBox personnel had been monitoring reports of the storm from the charity’s Cornwall HQ and plans to get aid to the South East Asian country swung into place immediately that Sidrhit. The first 230 boxes were deployed immediately from a strategic store in Dubai and another 400 will have reached Bangladesh by the end of the week.
20/11/07
