The
standard Aqua box has two functions - it is filled with a selection
of items and it also contains a filter cartridge and matching supply
of water treatment tablets. Once the welfare items have been removed
each box filter can be used to purify up to 1,100 litres of polluted
water, making it safe and pleasant to drink.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.
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.
Shelter Boxes are often seen as being replaced by Aqua boxes.
However, there are situations where clean safe water is not a priority
and there are cases where water purification is not needed. There
are also the Aqua box 30's that provide just the means of providing
safe clean water. In these situations Aqua box 30's and Emergency
boxes containing welfare items can become good partners when delivered
together.
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.
Shelter Box
What do we do when disaster strikes?
We know that they happen worldwide on a daily basis. Floods, earthquakes,
wars, etc. We read about them almost daily in our newspapers and
see the resulting aftermath and chaos on TV. Often thousands of
people are left injured, displaced and homeless over a widespread
area.
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.
The Cost
The cost of a complete Shelter Box is £490. The boxes and
new equipment will be purchased as 'donations' are received. Donations
of less than the cost of a complete box are expected and welcomed.
These will be used to purchase individual items toward a complete
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!
About The Shelter Box
Each box will provide shelter and warmth for up to ten people for
a prolonged period. Each box will be uniform in size, weight and
content and will contain a high quality 10 person funnel tent, manufactured
from modern lightweight but resilient & robust materials, plus
10 high quality durable sleeping bags, some ancillary equipment,
including spade, torch, ropes, etc.
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.
The Organisation
The Shelter Box Trust will purchase boxes and equipment as required.
Complete boxes will be assembled, numbered and held in store to
be distributed as and when called for by recognised and established
international aid agencies. Organisations and individuals who make
donations will be advised of the identification number pf 'their
box', its status and final destination.
The Aquabox Story
The Aquabox was conceived and initiated by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth
in Derbyshire in 1992 as a simple evolution of the previously existing
Emergency Box, to provide items of humanitarian aid (clothing, hygiene
equipment, simple tools and shelter facility), as for the emergency
box but with the additional provision of a simple tank, filter and
water purification tablets. Since inception over 27,000 standard
Aquaboxes have been distributed, with boxes sponsored and filled
by Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, churches and other voluntary organisations
and dispatched overseas and monitored by a number of reputable Aid
Agencies.
