Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Pictures From Haiti
Pictures taken in Haiti by SRT Ron Noseworthy from Canada of a ShelterBox Village and the alternative for many Haitians.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Field Report from Haiti
"On the early afternoon of Friday March5th, 10 truck loads of NFIs, (non-food items) arrived at our temporary warehouse in Port Au Prince. These large trucks contained thousands of items including: wood stoves, kitchen sets, water carriers, water purification kits and tool kits, basically the contents of a ShelterBox without the tent & box. In order to expedite satisfying the enormous need for tents, ShelterBox has arranged to send 5,000 tents directly to Haiti from the manufacturer in China; consequently the NFIs were sent separately from headquarters in the UK.
These trucks were immediately unloaded and early the next morning, 8 trucks and numerous soldiers from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division arrived at the warehouse to begin reloading and transferring the supplies to the staging area at their base. This was completed by early Saturday evening. Sunday morning trucks were reloaded in smaller quantities and, accompanied by 4 of our ShelterBox Response Team members, distribution to the surviving earthquake victims began. There were many return trips to the 82nd's base to reload, this processed continued throughout the day and into the following one. By the end of the day on Monday, all the NFI's had been distributed to the Haitians.
This was a remarkable achievement. In excess of 14,000 non-food items, which were in our warehouse for less than 24 hours, had been totally distributed in two days to many thousands of desperate Haitians. This could not have been achieved without the tremendous assistance from the 82nd Airborne and our great appreciation is extended to them. Almost two months after the earthquake, the need in this country remains staggering. There are tens of thousands of people without shelter and the basic essentials of life as the rainy season approaches. To our many supporters, be assured that ShelterBox will continue with our presence here for as long as the need remains and as long as we have the resources to help these suffering people.
SRT Rotarian Ron Noseworthy, Kenora, Ontario
Footnote: We are glad to report Ron has now returned safely from Haiti.
These trucks were immediately unloaded and early the next morning, 8 trucks and numerous soldiers from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division arrived at the warehouse to begin reloading and transferring the supplies to the staging area at their base. This was completed by early Saturday evening. Sunday morning trucks were reloaded in smaller quantities and, accompanied by 4 of our ShelterBox Response Team members, distribution to the surviving earthquake victims began. There were many return trips to the 82nd's base to reload, this processed continued throughout the day and into the following one. By the end of the day on Monday, all the NFI's had been distributed to the Haitians.
This was a remarkable achievement. In excess of 14,000 non-food items, which were in our warehouse for less than 24 hours, had been totally distributed in two days to many thousands of desperate Haitians. This could not have been achieved without the tremendous assistance from the 82nd Airborne and our great appreciation is extended to them. Almost two months after the earthquake, the need in this country remains staggering. There are tens of thousands of people without shelter and the basic essentials of life as the rainy season approaches. To our many supporters, be assured that ShelterBox will continue with our presence here for as long as the need remains and as long as we have the resources to help these suffering people.
SRT Rotarian Ron Noseworthy, Kenora, Ontario
Footnote: We are glad to report Ron has now returned safely from Haiti.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Help for Landslide Victims in Uganda
A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) is working in Uganda in response to deadly landslides which struck the country at the start of March.
They arrived in Uganda at the weekend and are now assessing the worst affected areas. They are based in Mbale, in Uganda’s east, the closest city to the Bududa region which was hit by the landslides.
On Monday, March 1 torrential rains in the areas surrounding Mt Elgon caused flooding and deadly landslides. A camp has been set up in Bulucheke for close to 3,000 people although it is feared this number could rise to 5,000. Of the 3,000 people in the camp, close to 1,300 are children.
Speaking from the camp, one SRT said: ‘There are a lot of different organizations on the ground and we’ll be working closely with them in the coming days. Large tents are currently housing 100 people at a time in very cramped conditions and families are being split up.
‘Tomorrow we’re trekking into the mountains where we think there’ll be a big need for ShelterBoxes.’
‘The landslides came down from Mt Elgon and cleared out an entire valley, destroying three schools in the process."
They arrived in Uganda at the weekend and are now assessing the worst affected areas. They are based in Mbale, in Uganda’s east, the closest city to the Bududa region which was hit by the landslides.
On Monday, March 1 torrential rains in the areas surrounding Mt Elgon caused flooding and deadly landslides. A camp has been set up in Bulucheke for close to 3,000 people although it is feared this number could rise to 5,000. Of the 3,000 people in the camp, close to 1,300 are children.
Speaking from the camp, one SRT said: ‘There are a lot of different organizations on the ground and we’ll be working closely with them in the coming days. Large tents are currently housing 100 people at a time in very cramped conditions and families are being split up.
‘Tomorrow we’re trekking into the mountains where we think there’ll be a big need for ShelterBoxes.’
‘The landslides came down from Mt Elgon and cleared out an entire valley, destroying three schools in the process."
Friday, March 12, 2010
Aid on the Way for Small Chilean Communities
ShelterBox is distributing disaster relief tents and life-saving supplies for up to 10,000 earthquake survivors in Chile.
Around 1,000 ShelterBoxes are arriving in the capital Santiago this weekend where they will be met by two ShelterBox Response Teams (SRT) and delivered to those who lost their homes in the devastating 8.8 magnitude quake.
With strong aftershocks still a regular occurrence nearly a fortnight after the disaster, ShelterBox workers on the ground have been assessing areas of greatest need in the Talca region, north of the worst-affected city, Concepcion.
Incoming Team Leader and ShelterBox Operations Coordinator Jessica Stanton said: ‘We’ll be arriving at the same time as 1,000 ShelterBoxes arrive so we’ll have our work cut out distributing the tents and supplies.
‘The Chilean government and other agencies have been providing emergency shelter in Concepcion, the city closest to the quake’s epicentre, and to areas along the coast which were hit by a tsunami.
‘But we’re hearing reports that more inland, rural communities near Talca are not getting any support despite people’s homes being destroyed by the earthquake. We’re looking to put tents up close to people’s homesteads so they can stay where they are under cover while starting to rebuild their lives and homes.’
The 1,000 ShelterBoxes – providing enough aid for up to 10,000 people - have come from prepositioned stock in Melbourne, Singapore and Dubai as well as from ShelterBox HQ in the UK. ShelterBox has a network of strategic locations around the globe where boxes are stored to allow a speedy response to disasters wherever they strike.
On arrival in Santiago the boxes will be transported by road to Talca with help from shipping company DHL. SRT member Tom Lay said: ‘There is massive damage in the region of Talca and a lot of buildings are just gone. We’ve identified rural communities in the towns of Curepto, Villa Prat and Curico which were hit by the quake and suffered devastation, but are at the bottom of the list in terms of getting aid, so we’re making sure these communities get emergency shelter as quickly as possible.
‘The aftershocks we’ve felt have been really strong and we had to evacuate the building we were in. We can’t wait for the boxes to arrive and as soon as they do we’ll be distributing them.’
Around 1,000 ShelterBoxes are arriving in the capital Santiago this weekend where they will be met by two ShelterBox Response Teams (SRT) and delivered to those who lost their homes in the devastating 8.8 magnitude quake.
With strong aftershocks still a regular occurrence nearly a fortnight after the disaster, ShelterBox workers on the ground have been assessing areas of greatest need in the Talca region, north of the worst-affected city, Concepcion.
Incoming Team Leader and ShelterBox Operations Coordinator Jessica Stanton said: ‘We’ll be arriving at the same time as 1,000 ShelterBoxes arrive so we’ll have our work cut out distributing the tents and supplies.
‘The Chilean government and other agencies have been providing emergency shelter in Concepcion, the city closest to the quake’s epicentre, and to areas along the coast which were hit by a tsunami.
‘But we’re hearing reports that more inland, rural communities near Talca are not getting any support despite people’s homes being destroyed by the earthquake. We’re looking to put tents up close to people’s homesteads so they can stay where they are under cover while starting to rebuild their lives and homes.’
The 1,000 ShelterBoxes – providing enough aid for up to 10,000 people - have come from prepositioned stock in Melbourne, Singapore and Dubai as well as from ShelterBox HQ in the UK. ShelterBox has a network of strategic locations around the globe where boxes are stored to allow a speedy response to disasters wherever they strike.
On arrival in Santiago the boxes will be transported by road to Talca with help from shipping company DHL. SRT member Tom Lay said: ‘There is massive damage in the region of Talca and a lot of buildings are just gone. We’ve identified rural communities in the towns of Curepto, Villa Prat and Curico which were hit by the quake and suffered devastation, but are at the bottom of the list in terms of getting aid, so we’re making sure these communities get emergency shelter as quickly as possible.
‘The aftershocks we’ve felt have been really strong and we had to evacuate the building we were in. We can’t wait for the boxes to arrive and as soon as they do we’ll be distributing them.’
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
News From a Canadian SRT in Haiti
Ron Noseworthy is the team leader in Haiti. He is from Kenora, Ontario.
"I have been on 4 previous deployments and none compare with the massive destruction of this one.
A little over 7 weeks after the earthquake & the need in this country is staggering. There are huge makeshift tent camps all over the city of Port au Prince, made of cloth, cardboard and any flimsy material available and with the rainy season approaching, it is frightening. We get continuous heart wrenching requests for help. On the positive side, we have over 8000 tents out.
Tom Henderson, the founder of ShelterBox, just spent 5 days with us and indicated, that he hopes we can put up to 20,000 tents into the city. This still pales compared to the statistic of over 100,000 families without homes.
I know that many of you have supported ShelterBox & I just wish you could see the hope that these tents & supplies that you have paid for, bring to desparate people. I accompanied a helicopter ride into the mountains today where we distributed 164 boxes. The expressions of relief on the faces of the recipients was palpable.
In these incredible disasters there are many heart warming stories. We have a wonderful driver of our van, Philippe, who has done everything for us including protecting our personal security. Tonight we learned that he is a lawyer, with no work in his profession because of the earthquake.
I am fine, we have a good handle on the security situation. It has been a bit daunting leading a team of 7 and dealing with boxes numbered in the thousands, rather than the usual hundreds, but my team had been great and very supportive."
"I have been on 4 previous deployments and none compare with the massive destruction of this one.
A little over 7 weeks after the earthquake & the need in this country is staggering. There are huge makeshift tent camps all over the city of Port au Prince, made of cloth, cardboard and any flimsy material available and with the rainy season approaching, it is frightening. We get continuous heart wrenching requests for help. On the positive side, we have over 8000 tents out.
Tom Henderson, the founder of ShelterBox, just spent 5 days with us and indicated, that he hopes we can put up to 20,000 tents into the city. This still pales compared to the statistic of over 100,000 families without homes.
I know that many of you have supported ShelterBox & I just wish you could see the hope that these tents & supplies that you have paid for, bring to desparate people. I accompanied a helicopter ride into the mountains today where we distributed 164 boxes. The expressions of relief on the faces of the recipients was palpable.
In these incredible disasters there are many heart warming stories. We have a wonderful driver of our van, Philippe, who has done everything for us including protecting our personal security. Tonight we learned that he is a lawyer, with no work in his profession because of the earthquake.
I am fine, we have a good handle on the security situation. It has been a bit daunting leading a team of 7 and dealing with boxes numbered in the thousands, rather than the usual hundreds, but my team had been great and very supportive."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Update on Chile
A three-person ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) has arrived in Chile. They had to travel through Argentina and across the Andes in order to reach Chile’s capital Santiago and are now pulling out all the stops to establish where ShelterBoxes are most needed.
The team has met with Rotary contacts and government officials in Santiago. They will be travelling south to Concepcion and the worst affected areas tomorrow (Friday, March 5). Concepcion is Chile’s second largest city and was nearest to the quake’s epicentre.
From all the reports there’s an absolute crying need for shelter in Concepcion and areas along the coast which have been largely overlooked. The team’s contacts in Chile told them that the Iloca region, on Chile’s coast, was hit by a tsunami after the earthquake. The tsunami reached three miles inland in some areas causing widespread damage and destruction. The SRT will be visiting the area as soon as they travel south towards Concepcion, a twelve hour drive from Santiago.
The team has met with Rotary contacts and government officials in Santiago. They will be travelling south to Concepcion and the worst affected areas tomorrow (Friday, March 5). Concepcion is Chile’s second largest city and was nearest to the quake’s epicentre.
From all the reports there’s an absolute crying need for shelter in Concepcion and areas along the coast which have been largely overlooked. The team’s contacts in Chile told them that the Iloca region, on Chile’s coast, was hit by a tsunami after the earthquake. The tsunami reached three miles inland in some areas causing widespread damage and destruction. The SRT will be visiting the area as soon as they travel south towards Concepcion, a twelve hour drive from Santiago.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
ShelterBox Work Goes On Around the World
The ShelterBox Response Team in Peru was on the scene immediately after a landslide struck the village of Taray leaving hundreds of families homeless.
The team has been distributing ShelterBoxes to people affected by flooding in the Cuzco and Puno regions. They have been working to the north of Cuzco in the Scared Valley when they heard the news of the landslide in Taray.
One of the team, who is on her first deployment, said: ‘There’s been so much rain here and it’s been falling really hard. There are so many houses which aren’t safe. We heard about the landslide in Taray and immediately set about trying to get there.
‘The road was blocked so we had to leave our vehicle, climb across rocks and travel the rest of the way with the army of Cuzco. It was a heck of a journey.
‘When we reached the village we learnt that eight people had died and 120 families had lost their homes. We were the first aid agency there and today (Wednesday, March 3) we’ve been setting up tents and delivering ShelterBoxes to all of them.’
Boxes have also been distributed in Real Naciente, Paucarbumba, Lucra and other areas. In Lucra, she met a 90 year old man who had lost his home and his wife in the flooding.
She said: ‘In the past few days we’ve been assessing a number of villages. There are places where people have been making their own tents which can’t stand up to the rains. The look in their eyes is soul destroying.
‘But now we have people in ShelterBox tents where they’re going to stay until they can rebuild their homes. This is my first deployment and it’s been challenging in so many ways but we’re now seeing the hope that ShelterBox brings to people come to life.’
200 ShelterBoxes were sent to Peru after the country experienced its heaviest rainfall in two decades. The ShelterBox Response Team has been working with Rotarians, the Peruvian Red Cross and the National Civil Defence Institute.
The team has been distributing ShelterBoxes to people affected by flooding in the Cuzco and Puno regions. They have been working to the north of Cuzco in the Scared Valley when they heard the news of the landslide in Taray.
One of the team, who is on her first deployment, said: ‘There’s been so much rain here and it’s been falling really hard. There are so many houses which aren’t safe. We heard about the landslide in Taray and immediately set about trying to get there.
‘The road was blocked so we had to leave our vehicle, climb across rocks and travel the rest of the way with the army of Cuzco. It was a heck of a journey.
‘When we reached the village we learnt that eight people had died and 120 families had lost their homes. We were the first aid agency there and today (Wednesday, March 3) we’ve been setting up tents and delivering ShelterBoxes to all of them.’
Boxes have also been distributed in Real Naciente, Paucarbumba, Lucra and other areas. In Lucra, she met a 90 year old man who had lost his home and his wife in the flooding.
She said: ‘In the past few days we’ve been assessing a number of villages. There are places where people have been making their own tents which can’t stand up to the rains. The look in their eyes is soul destroying.
‘But now we have people in ShelterBox tents where they’re going to stay until they can rebuild their homes. This is my first deployment and it’s been challenging in so many ways but we’re now seeing the hope that ShelterBox brings to people come to life.’
200 ShelterBoxes were sent to Peru after the country experienced its heaviest rainfall in two decades. The ShelterBox Response Team has been working with Rotarians, the Peruvian Red Cross and the National Civil Defence Institute.
Monday, March 1, 2010
...And Now Chile
An initial consignment of 448 ShelterBoxes is being sent to Chile in response to the massive earthquake that hit the country.
ShelterBox is utilising all its global resources to respond as quickly as possible to this latest disaster. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Pat Prendergast (UK), Tom Lay (UK) and Traci Oliver (US) are currently en route to Chile’s capital Santiago. On arrival the team will join up with local Rotarians and the Red Cross to establish where the greatest need for emergency shelter is.
The team will be joined by 448 ShelterBoxes, enough aid for up to 4,480 people. The boxes are being sent from prepositioned stock in Melbourne, Australia. ShelterBox has a network of strategic locations around the globe where boxes are stored to allow a speedy response to any disaster wherever it may strike.
Head of Operations, John Leach, said: ‘The full extent of the damage in Chile is yet to be seen but there’ll undoubtedly be a need for emergency shelter.
‘Our first response team was mobilised as soon as news of the earthquake reached us. We’re now sending ShelterBoxes form Australia and once our team arrive in Santiago they’ll be working closely with Rotarians and other aid organisations to make sure the aid reaches the people who need it most.’
With the earthquake in Chile following so soon after the earthquake Haiti, the need to support ShelterBox could not be greater. General Manager, Lasse Petersen, said: “We’re responding to the massive disasters in both Haiti and Chile as well as other disasters across the world that aren’t making the headlines. Whenever disasters strike they inevitably leave devastated families in their wake, families who lose everything through no fault of their own.”
‘We urgently need donations to fund our disaster relief efforts, to help us respond to the current disasters and to acquire more tents and life saving supplies in readiness for future disasters."
ShelterBox is utilising all its global resources to respond as quickly as possible to this latest disaster. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Pat Prendergast (UK), Tom Lay (UK) and Traci Oliver (US) are currently en route to Chile’s capital Santiago. On arrival the team will join up with local Rotarians and the Red Cross to establish where the greatest need for emergency shelter is.
The team will be joined by 448 ShelterBoxes, enough aid for up to 4,480 people. The boxes are being sent from prepositioned stock in Melbourne, Australia. ShelterBox has a network of strategic locations around the globe where boxes are stored to allow a speedy response to any disaster wherever it may strike.
Head of Operations, John Leach, said: ‘The full extent of the damage in Chile is yet to be seen but there’ll undoubtedly be a need for emergency shelter.
‘Our first response team was mobilised as soon as news of the earthquake reached us. We’re now sending ShelterBoxes form Australia and once our team arrive in Santiago they’ll be working closely with Rotarians and other aid organisations to make sure the aid reaches the people who need it most.’
With the earthquake in Chile following so soon after the earthquake Haiti, the need to support ShelterBox could not be greater. General Manager, Lasse Petersen, said: “We’re responding to the massive disasters in both Haiti and Chile as well as other disasters across the world that aren’t making the headlines. Whenever disasters strike they inevitably leave devastated families in their wake, families who lose everything through no fault of their own.”
‘We urgently need donations to fund our disaster relief efforts, to help us respond to the current disasters and to acquire more tents and life saving supplies in readiness for future disasters."
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