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International |
As an example, 1,100 litres is 5,000 cups enough say for a group of four people drinking 10 cups a day for about four months. The aqua box system has been exhaustively tested by an independent body proving it to be "exceptionally effective in providing clean water" and meeting World Heath Organisation standards. For several years, Welshpool Rotary Club has been sending such boxes to countries in need.
"Each year we send up to eight boxes to places in Africa that are in need of aid" explained Mr. Pepper. "But since the Tsunami disaster a total of eight have already been sent out to some of the areas affected. We rely upon local organisations and businesses to help us fill the boxes. Once they are filled we send them to the main Aqua box charity and these are then sent with various charities to the different places in need."
Organisations working closely with Welshpool Rotary Club include the Welshpool Scouts and Guides, Inner Wheel, Guilsfield Singers, Welshpool Women's Guild, Welshpool High School, Welshpool Catholic Church, Guilsfield Guides and Brownies and Newmore Plastics.
Welshpool Rotary has recently raised £2,500 through various street collections and fundraising events to help fund four shelter boxes.
Each box, which costs £490, provides shelter and warmth for up to 10 people for a prolonged period. It contains a high quality 10-person tent, manufactured from modern lightweight but resilient and robust materials plus 10 high quality durable sleeping bags and ancillary equipment such as a multi fuel cooker, spade and rope.
The Shelterbox Trust is organised and administered by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, who will purchase boxes and equipment as required.
Mike Pepper said: "We have received confirmation that the four boxes have been sent to help the victims of the Tsunami disaster. Myself and Chris Townsend, the President of Welshpool Rotary would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports us with these boxes - we couldn't do this without them."
Anyone who wishes to help fill an Aqua Box should contact Welshpool Rotary Club.
Shelter boxes are also a valuable aid at those man made disasters where although the infrastructure is sound there is a need for the welfare items. A good example of this is for refugee relief.
The Shelter box has an important role to play in disaster relief and we ask clubs to continue to give support.
In an emergency, both local and international 'Relief Agencies' react with initial aid and assistance to relieve the immediate suffering and hardships.
How often after this first response have we heard the Aid Agencies asking for additional help in the form of tents and sleeping bags to accommodate and protect these displaced and vulnerable people?
Often they need shelter and protection for many months after the disaster until the local infrastructure is re-established and able to cope. The Rotary answer is the Shelter Box.
Best value has been achieved by working closely with the UK's leading suppliers, all items being obtained at less than trade prices! Assuming 6 months use, this equates to shelter and warmth for about 25 pence per person per day!
All equipment will be news and unused and has been selected for its usefulness and quality and will have a long and useful life once distributed by international aid agencies. These robust standardised multi-functional Shelter Boxes are secure, easily stored and transported and once on site can be used in many other varied and useful ways.......water, storage, baby's cot, table, etc.
| Standard Aquaboxes containing humanitarian aid are sponsored by a donation of £40 which includes the cost of transportation to and from the sponsor or filler. Clubs can either sponsor a box and receive it for filling or, if preferred, a sponsor can make a donation and schools and other organisation can be located to fill a box for which they do not have funds to sponsor. Each standard Aquabox provides purification of 1,000 liters of polluted water - sufficient for a family of 4 for nearly four months of drinking water. |  |
Aquabox 30 - Additionally, donations of £250 can be made to sponsor an Aquabox 30 which is filled at source with 30 sets of filters and tablets to provide a total of 33,000 liters of purified water. (Over 2,800 Aqua 30's have been dispatched directly to disaster areas since inception).