ShelterBox tents improve living conditions in Congo

Families in the Republic of the Congo's capital Brazzaville are still facing very difficult living conditions after the explosion at the Mpila army base on 8 March. 

Dave Ray (UK) is team leader of the ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) operating in the city and he says there are hundreds of families that need help in the areas closest to the site of the explosion: 

'With the help and local knowledge of the Brazzaville Rotary clubs we are working street by street to assess all the houses in the quarters closest to the blast. 

'In areas like Talangai and parts of Ouenze there is almost nothing left standing yet we are seeing families with children living amongst the ruins.' 

ShelterBox has delivered 306 tents to date in the quarters to families in need and expects to deliver many more, bringing shelter, warmth and dignity to thousands.

'Family brought together' 

'In one street we met a young hairdresser,' said SRT volunteer Marie Mariotte (FR). 'She is a 35-year old grandmother living with her children and grandchildren in a two metre by three metre shack after her house was destroyed. One daughter has just had an operation and there is a new baby too. Now she has a ShelterBox tent so the family can be brought back together again.' 

The Response Team has had outstanding support from the local Rotary clubs. Nestor Oyoukou is a local Rotarian who has been helping the team distribute tents in the quarters: 

'My family has suffered from the explosion in Mpila as we live in this quarter of the city. I was deeply moved by the support I received from my dear Rotary friends and it urged me to show my personal commitment to our local badly hurt community by working directly with ShelterBox.'