Photograph by Mark Pearson of ShelterBox: SRT volunteers start to unload a consignment of ShelterBoxes in Haiti.
Exactly a week after the earthquake, aid projects, created and supported by Rotary, are finally starting to reach Haiti.
Water Survival Box and Aquabox have both confirmed that, between them, over one thousand boxes are due to leave for the stricken area this week, bringing vital aid to victims. ShelterBox is committing over 3,000 boxes to the relief effort.
Aquabox is sending 1,000 boxes to Haiti via Muslim Aid and Humanity First. This partnership approach has helped to speed up the process and maximise the benefits for victims. This week, four hundred boxes, complete with water filters and other equipment, will be put on aircraft and flown into the airport at Port-au-Prince. The remaining 600 units will be shipped by sea next week, depending on the condition of the port.
Water Survival Box today confirmed 200 boxes are being sent to Dr Claude Surena in Haiti, who has been pivotal in running the aid effort. These boxes provide a family of four with life-saving equipment including basic shelter, cooking utensils and water filtration packs. While these boxes make their way to Haiti, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge will be packing a further 150 units with plans to dispatch later this week.
ShelterBox has so far sent 1,700 boxes which have now arrived and are being allocated to the worst affected areas. A further 1,600 are being prepared for shipment to the ShelterBox Response Teams who are on the ground, helping to organise distribution. Each ShelterBox costs just under £500 and contains a ten-person tent and survival equipment to help communities get though the coming months.
The success of all these projects relies on the fundraising efforts of Rotary clubs and the generosity of the public. As these boxes are sent out, more are being packed, creating a need for new boxes and further funding. Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland are reaching out into communities and asking for help to support these life-saving projects.
Any donations should be sent to:
RIBI Donations Trust
c/o Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
Kinwarton Road
Alcester
B49 6PB
Please make cheques payable to RIBI Donations Trust and clearly mark your envelope with Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
If you would like to Gift Aid your donation, please download the Gift Aid Form.
