A New Zealand ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) consisting of Bulls-based Lyndon Tamblyn and Walter van der Kley from Ashburton, who are both experienced SRTs, went to Apia on December 16 to assess the need of people affected by recent Cyclone Evan which ripped through Samoa.
Winds of up to 165 kilometres per hour lashed down, and waves of water exploded over river banks washing homes away, flinging cars into trees, cutting out power across the country and leaving the capital city Apia in ruins. The scene of destruction also included flattened homes, uprooted trees and flooded streets.
Once on the ground in Apia, the pair assessed the needs of cyclone victims and established how many people had lost their homes. Local Rotarians helped the team with information and transport.
ShelterBoxes are prepositioned in Auckland and ready for a rapid response to Pacific Island nations. Additional ShelterBoxes are located in Melbourne, with some already in Fiji, left over from flood relief earlier in 2012.
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. Since 2000 over 124,323 ShelterBoxes have been deployed worldwide.
NZ SRT, Owen Smith recently towed a ShelterBox in the Lake TaupÅ Cycle Challenge to raise money for at least six ShelterBoxes.
Each ShelterBox costs NZ$1,500 and will support an extended family for up to six months.
Donations can be made through the Telecom Foundation “Givealittle” website where 100% of every donation is given to the charity.
DONATION HOTLINE:
www.givealittle.co.nz/org/shelterbox
NOTES ABOUT SHELTERBOX
In the aftermath of the dust and debris of disaster, ShelterBox instantly responds by providing shelter, warmth and dignity to people displaced or made homeless by disaster. The ShelterBox solution provides the essentials that a family needs to survive and begin rebuilding their lives.
1. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides humanitarian aid to families who have been made homeless or displaced through disasters.
2. ShelterBox was founded in 2000 and has affiliates in 21 countries around the world.
3. ShelterBox is a ‘Rotary Project Partner’ of Rotary International.
4. ShelterBox is funded entirely by public donations.
5. Every ShelterBox is individually numbered and donors who donate a ShelterBox are advised of their identification number when they are sent a receipt. The final destination of boxes can then be tracked via our website.
6. NZ SRTs are available for interview
7. Photos from NZ SRT deployments and others are available.
To find out more, visit: www.shelterbox.org.nz.
