ShelterBox helps families and schools in the Philippines

A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) is setting up a camp for 588 families in Southeastern Luzon who lost their homes and possessions after Tropical Storm Juaning caused lake waters to rise by around 200 metres. The shores of Lake Bato rose dramatically due to flash floods and landslides, engulfing hundreds of houses and flooding local schools. Over 400 ShelterBoxes and an additional 180 ShelterBox tents are being delivered to the region to provide shelter for hundreds of families who were displaced by the disaster. The families have been living in extremely crowded conditions in a local school with up to 14 families in each small classroom. The ShelterBox team is working hard to set up a camp for the families in order to provide them with privacy, security and protection from the elements. Help for children The situation is particularly difficult for the many children caught up in this disaster. Not only have they lost their homes but their schools have also been severely damaged by flood waters. SRT member, Scott Robinson said: ‘One school we visited had two feet of mud caking the class rooms and corridors. Papers and books were being dried out on the banisters in front of the school.’ The team will deliver ShelterBox Classrooms in a Box to a number of local schools to help them get up and running again. The boxes provide school equipment for 200 children and essential equipment for teachers. ‘The children are amazing. They are facing such hard times but they remain enthusiastic and upbeat,’ said Scott. ‘They are enjoying using the ShelterBox activity packs, which contain drawing books, crayons and pens and we have been organising activities to keep them entertained.’