5,000 Lifestraws are on their way to the Philippines thanks to the quick actions of the Rotary Club of Brynmawr. LifeStraw is a portable water filter that effectively removes all bacteria and parasites providing easy access to safe clean water. The LifeStraws are waiting at Heathrow airport to be despatched by DHL, who hold stocks of the club’s emergency supplies in readiness for humanitarian disasters.
The Rotary Club of Brynmawr was in the process of organising a shipment of LifeStraws to the Philippines when they were contacted by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), with whom they have previously worked in the region. VSO advised that they have done a rapid assessment in one province of the disaster area and the need for water filters is massive. The organisation is focusing its emergency response in Cebu, Samar, Leyte and Bohol and they need as many water filters as possible very urgently.
The Rotary Club of Brynmawr immediately agreed to supply 5,000 Life Straws to the value of £50,000 for immediate distribution. Rotarian Christine Bayliss said: "They are needed fast so have to be air freighted out to the region so that they arrive in time to save lives. We are organising collections in our local area to cover the cost of the transport and also to raise money for more LifeStraws. We hope that members of the public will give generously to help us save lives through providing access to the very basic need for clean water."
