Rotary and
ShelterBox work together to bring 'service above self' in disaster areas
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| ShelterBox Response Team in Jordan |
'Thanks so much for
your time, efforts and great initiative. It was a great pleasure to meet you
and discuss such a noble cause. You have all the Rotarians in Jordan as your
family so whatever you need please let us know.' Ola Almasri, President of
Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, Jordan.
Rotarians
around the world have continued to support ShelterBox since the international
disaster relief charity was founded over a decade ago. Not only do they raise
vital funds but they also continue to provide essential logistical support during
ShelterBox's deployments worldwide.
Cementing
this is the Rotary International (RI) project partnership that was signed in
2012 by RI and ShelterBox. It has built on both organisations' strengths in
responding to disasters globally and provides service opportunities for
Rotarian ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members and Rotarians in country.
An
SRT has recently returned from Jordan where an average of 2,000 Syrians have
been crossing the border every day over the past month,
'Fantastic support'
'We
had fantastic support from the Rotary Clubs of Jordan which enabled us to find
the most suitable way to distribute ShelterBox tents that would benefit the
refugees the most,' said SRT member Ian Neal (UK).
'One
key contact is Rtn Mushen R. Mufleh from Amman West Rotary Club. Thanks to his
hard work and extensive network of connections we have been able to position
ourselves effectively to respond to the growing refugee crisis. Through him, we
were able to distribute transit shelters with the border guards along the
Syria/Jordan border providing a rest area for newly arriving Syrian families
before they continue their long journey to their destination in Jordan.'
Rtn
Mushen R. Mufleh is a proud family man who has semi-retired from business and
assisted the SRT with logistics and translation:
'My
work with ShelterBox has enabled me to raise awareness of the organisation
amongst fellow Rotarians and other contacts here who share the common interest
of helping others. Promoting the partnership between ShelterBox and Rotary
International has inspired others to help Syrian people fleeing to Jordan,
whether that's through the offer of assistance to pitch tents or fundraising
amongst their own networks.'
The
Jordanian Rotary Committee also agreed to purchase 3,000 mattresses, 3,000
coats and 3,000 shoes to augment the ShelterBox gear to help Syrian families
with the harsh cold conditions.
Hurricane Sandy
After
Hurricane Sandy hit Northeast USA last October, ShelterBox reached out to the
most impacted districts to check on Rotarians and learn what their communities
were experiencing in the wake of the disaster. Rotarians joined forces with
ShelterBox with the 'service above self' ethos very much in their hearts to
help bring assistance and blankets to over 6,000 people.
Rotarians
also have service opportunities by being SRT members, such as Rtn Sonny Ongkiko
(PH), who has recently been helping typhoon survivors in the Philippines.
ShelterBox was able to respond immediately to the disaster by having in country
Response Teams assessing the need within 24 hours. At the same time, through
Sonny's local Rotary club contacts, he has been able to raise vital funds and
awareness for ShelterBox through his Rotary club.
These
are just some of the many examples of how Rotary benefits ShelterBox's disaster
relief work; together they help more communities in need around the world at
the time they need it the most.
ShelterBox would like to thank the global Rotary networks for all of your continuous support at times of disaster and efforts in raising awareness and funds for families affected by disaster.
