shelterbox

ShelterBox preparing to respond to devastating Philippines cyclone

ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Jose Ongkiko (PH) and Abner Tayco (PH) are assessing the need for emergency aid following Typhoon Nesat that hit the Philippines on 27 September. 

The typhoon struck the Luzon region of the Philippines triggering flash floods, cutting power and halting daily activity in the capital Manila. 

The residents of Manila had no other choice but to wade through waist-deep floodwaters, dodging branches and flying debris as the typhoon sent surging waves as tall as palm trees over seawalls completely submerging entire neighbourhoods. 

The extreme conditions caused by the Typhoon Nesat have only worsened a city already severely affected by heavy monsoonal rains, prompting officials to order over one hundred thousand people to evacuate their homes in fear of further flash floods. 

Tom Lay, ShelterBox Operations Coordinator, said: ‘Unfortunately the Philippines is an area which is vulnerable to disasters, as such we always have a contingency of boxes in the country ready to be deployed with the assistance of our affiliate, ShelterBox Philippines. We have experts in the area who stand prepared once the greatest need has been identified. 

‘Our hearts go out to those who have had their lives traumatically disrupted by the latest cyclone to hit families in the area.’

First ShelterBox tents pitched for families in Brazil

The first batch of ShelterBox tents have been pitched for families affected by the devastating floods that have hit South East Brazil. 

ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members David Hatcher (UK) and Walter Filho (BRA) have deployed the first allocation of tents in the city of Rio do Sul that has been hit by five times the usual rainfall. As a result, rivers have risen twelve metres above their normal level submerging eighty percent of the city. 

The water has been so powerful that entire homes have drifted away, or been demolished altogether. Landslides have also crushed homes and left families without shelter. 

ShelterBox were greeted upon arrival by the Mayor of Rio do Sul, Milton Hobus and President of Rio de Sul Rotary, Rodrigo Gadotti. The co-operation ensured the SRT was able to make a thorough assessment, beginning with a helicopter assessment, to identify the families that were most vulnerable. 

Once the assessment had been completed, the moment the prepositioned ShelterBoxes arrived from Rio de Janeiro meant life-saving aid could be distributed immediately to families most in need. 

A new home 

Within the first two hours of the aid arriving the first family were given a new home. Daniel and Marilda Pires had their home completely destroyed. Together with their children, two year-old Bruna, five year-old Daniela and seven year-old Everton, they now have the shelter, warmth and dignity that is so vital in the aftermath of such a devastating disaster. 

David Hatcher, who is leading the ShelterBox deployment, said: ‘On receiving a ShelterBox Daniel was worried about what it would cost him – so when he was told it was a gift from people around the world who care about him and his family he broke down with gratitude. 

‘The children are ecstatic about their new home, even in such a shocking environment, the kindness and generosity of people who have made this happen for them has brought a new warmth to their hearts.’ 

ShelterBox have further identified the safest areas in the region to dispatch the remaining aid so more families like Daniel’s and Marilda’s can receive life-saving supplies at a time they need it most.

ShelterBox ready to deploy aid in flood hit Brazil

ShelterBox are assessing the need for emergency aid in Brazil following flooding and landslides in the South East state of Santa Catarina.

An estimated one million people have already been affected with thousands left homeless after a week of torrential rain that has hit 96 cities within the region. The floodwater has reached twelve metres high in some areas and is the largest flood in the region for 50 years.

There are 242 ShelterBoxes prepositioned in country ready to be deployed when the area of most need has been identified. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) member David Hatcher (UK) will be arriving in Brazil on 17 September to join fellow SRT member Walter De Dedieros Fihlo (BRA) and Rotarian Conrado Orsatti.

Laura Dale, who was deployed to Rio de Janeiro in January as part of a SRT following a similar disaster, said: ‘It’s terrible the country have to face the loss of homes and communities again. But with the help of our Brazilian affiliates and the prepositioned stock, I’m sure ShelterBox will respond to make sure the aid goes to those families in most need.’

 

 

ShelterBox allocates more than $3.5 million to Horn of Africa relief

As millions of people in the Eastern Horn of Africa continue to suffer from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox has committed to provide more than $3.5 million in aid and distribution to help families in desperate need.

The drought affecting the Eastern Horn of Africa is the worst the region has seen in 60 years. Millions of families have been affected by massive water and food shortages, and the drought and on-going conflict in Somalia is causing families to flee their homes, with thousands arriving at refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya every day. The organization expects the need for emergency shelter to grow.

ShelterBox, which provides survivors of natural and other disasters with emergency shelter and life-saving equipment is working with Save the Children, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), the Refugee Central Committee and the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs to prioritize aid for the most vulnerable survivors.

In Ethiopia, 1,600 ShelterBoxes are being distributed to the most vulnerable families, particularly those who are taking care of orphaned or unaccompanied children. ShelterBox has also provided over 4,500 tents for refugee families in Dadaab, Kenya and more are on the way. Each day, teams from a range of organizations go out to identify and mark suitable sites, erect tents and ensure that there are adequate water and sanitary facilities.

“ShelterBox USA is pleased to join other ShelterBox affiliates around the world in providing substantial support to families suffering in Africa,” said Emily Sperling, ShelterBox USA president. “Thousands of Americans give in advance of disasters to ensure we have the capacity to provide shelter, warmth and dignity on a moment’s notice to those who need it most.”

The recent months have been busy for ShelterBox, with deployments to six countries involving dozens of ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members. In the last few weeks, ShelterBox has deployed disaster assessment and response teams to six countries—Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, the Philippines, South Korea and South Sudan. The teams have delivered aid to tens of thousands of people whose lives have been torn apart by drought, famine, tropical storms, flooding and conflict.

 

ShelterBox responds as monsoon rains hit Pakistan

Torrential monsoon rain over the past five weeks has forced four million people from their homes following flooding in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

With the help of the National Rural Support Programme (NSRP), over 2,400 prepositioned ShelterBoxes have already been deployed from Badin over the last two weeks with a further 448 boxes to arrive in Karachi today.

Heavy monsoon rains have inundated southern Sindh province, which was severely affected by last year's floods. The devastation of the monsoon rains has been compounded by breaches to a series of canals on the left-bank of the Indus river. The resulting floods have already destroyed a million homes with 2,600 villages being submerged across 19 districts.

Monsoon rains are still forecast for next week meaning floodwaters are not residing and families will continue to be affected.

Mark Pearson, ShelterBox field operations specialist, said: ‘The floods have only worsened the situation that we witnessed last year. We are fortunate to have prepositioned stock within the region, which means the speed and efficiency of our response has been maximised.

‘However, the need for more aid will remain constant long after the monsoon season finishes as many families will remain homeless.’

The Pakistan government has declared the floods as an official emergency and are asking the international aid community to respond urgently.

To support ShelterBox and provide shelter, warmth and dignity to families that have been affected by disasters worldwide please visit our donation page.

 

 

ShelterBox in Japan - 6 Months Later

Six months ago on March 11 at 05:46 local time Japan was struck by a 9 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre 120km off its north-eastern coast. The earthquake generated a tsunami devastating coastal communities with the most severe damage in three districts: Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.

ShelterBox were one of the first aid agencies to respond and were able to operate within the country due to their ability to work self-sufficiently. Within 24 hours of the disaster happening the first ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) was on the ground where they worked with the authorities to assess the areas of most need. Since then 1,680 boxes have been deployed to the area.

The speed, adeptness of the response and extent of aid delivered reserved special praise from the Japanese authorities that expressed their ‘deepest respect’ for ShelterBox’s work. The British Embassy in Tokyo has since sought specialist advice from ShelterBox regarding the most effective methods to operate in such an emergency.

During a recent visit made by ShelterBox, the mayor of Yamamoto-Cho, said that the tents provided by ShelterBox were made even more crucial by the lack of provisions from the Japanese government and other tent manufacturers whose resources had been strained due to the disaster.

John Leach, Head of Operations at ShelterBox, was present at the visit and said: ‘The Japanese were especially grateful for the tents as even in evacuation centres they were using them as private spaces and sleeping areas for families. This is incredibly important for morale and has given families a sense of dignity in the aftermath of disaster.

‘A handful of families were still living in ShelterBox tents as temporary accommodation was being built. But the presence of ShelterBox tents within the past six months has no doubt played a massive role in supporting these families while the country recovers.’

Inspired donations

Social media had an unprecedented role in ShelterBox’s response and fundraising effort. American author Maureen Johnson inspired donations by offering prizes to fans that donated to ShelterBox helping to raise over $14,202. Hollywood actor, Jack Black, also contributed by auctioning his Gibson SG guitar on eBay, which was used in the movie School of Rock.

Another fundraising drive was called ‘Songs of Love For Japan’ which featured a three-day flash sale of 100 tracks of rare and inspiring music. Artists that supported the project included Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Wolf Parade, The XX, The Submarines and Josh Ritter.

This celebrity effort added to the commitment shown by other ShelterBox fundraisers and supporter’s dedication has proven to play a vital role in Japan’s ongoing recovery from disaster.

The recovery effort is expected to take years to complete and ShelterBox send their best wishes to the Japanese authorities and families in the collective effort to rebuild their communities.

For more information on past and current deployments please visit the deployment page here and to view images taken from the Japan deployment please see the Flickr stream here

Co-operation is key in East Africa

Over 1,000 people are being moved into ShelterBox tents every day as ShelterBox continues to co-operate with other charities and the international community in the collective effort to support families affected by the East Africa crisis.

World Vision has already assisted in transporting 5,000 ShelterBox tents into the region and the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) are offering organisational support in moving families into the camp as quickly and efficiently as possible.

75 acres of land have been secured to make Ifo 2, an extension of the original Ifo camp in Dadaab with one section filled exclusively with ShelterBox tents. Between 150 and 200 tents will be pitched every day ready to protect the lives of families moving in.

Joe Cannon, a ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) member who has recently returned from Kenya, said: ‘Seeing the amount of people who were arriving at the refugee camp is what motivated us on a daily basis. It inspired us to put up tents as fast as we could and the help we received from other aid agencies such as World Vision, IOM and the UNHCR is helping the overall effort immensely.

‘However, with tens of thousands of refugees arriving at the IFO camp daily the need for emergency aid continues.’

First ever ShelterBox Amsterdam Challenge a success

The ShelterBox Amsterdam Challenge saw twenty teams of four navigate through Amsterdam city centre over two days, tackling various challenges along the way. 

Participants of the event ranged from the age of sixteen to fifty-five years old with each team carrying an empty ShelterBox as they negotiated the route and camped overnight in ShelterBox tents in the Royal Marine Harbour. The teams were awarded points for their success in various challenges with the team with the most points winning the competition. 

One challenge included packing a box as quickly as possible and another asked teams to get as many people as possible to visit a ShelterBox tent pitched in the middle of the iconic Dam Square. This second challenge proved no match for ShelterBox founder and CEO Tom Henderson OBE who managed to lead an entire coach-load of tourists to the well-placed tent. 

Tom Henderson said: ‘It’s great to see such initiative and ingenuity by our fundraising teams around the world. We hope that the tourists and general public of Amsterdam learnt a lot about ShelterBox and our work thanks to this superb event.’ 

The Amsterdam Challenge raised over €10,000 for ShelterBox, with the winning team CheckBox receiving four bags of outdoor supplies and ShelterBox merchandise. 

ShelterBox participates in "International Days" in Copenhagen

ShelterBox joined 85 other volunteer organisations and 30 restaurants on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate "International Days" in the inner city area of Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Denmark. The whole of Rantzausgade was closed off and the weather stayed dry and warm to allow people in this very cosmopolitan area to enjoy international cuisine.

The International Roteract Club of Copenhagen, who organised the SheltherBox participation, provided a popular bar. The profits from the sale of soft drinks, beer and a special cocktail will be donated to ShelterBox. The tent was up prominently displayed in the bar area, and the Roteractors, with help from one or two Rotarians, distributed flyers to the public.

"I encouraged people to take the postcard with "What's in a Box" and the bank account number on it home and stick it on their fridge doors" said Steve Pickering, Copenhagen International Rotary Club. "As Tom Henderson says, you will know when the time is right to donate".

With a disaster occurring every 6 weeks or so on average, there will certainly be some scope for the public to take us up on that.

Take a look at the photos