ShelterBox Update - April 2016

Posted by Stephanie Christensen 
on Apr 11, 2016
 

Desperate need for shelter in Fiji after Cyclone Winston

 
Cyclone Winston hit the islands of Fiji on February 20th and was the most powerful storm ever recorded in the South Pacific, with winds over 285 km/hr, torrential rain and 12m waves. The cyclone left 42 dead, buildings flattened and crops destroyed. Hundreds of thousands were affected, and 97 schools were damaged or destroyed. A state of natural disaster was declared by the Fiji Government, and they put a call out for international aid.
 
The United Nations estimates that as many as 350,000 people may have been affected, over a third of the Fijian population. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also says that access to fresh water remains a particular concern. 67,000 Fijians had been suffering drought conditions in January due to El Nino, and most of them live in the corridor affected by the cyclone.
 
ShelterBox has been responding since the Cyclone hit, utilizing prepositioned stock in Fiji as well as New Zealand and Australia. Our ShelterBox Response teams have already been able to deliver tents and ShelterBoxes to families on six remote islands.  Canadian SRT, Ron Noseworthy (Member and Past President of The Rotary Club of Kenora) was recently deployed to deliver aid to families after the storm.
 
More aid is on the way, including 2,000 solar lights that will provide light and safety to communities without power, and 2000 complete ShelterBoxes, but it’s not enough. There are still many tiny islands too remote to have received help. We need your support to send more aid to assist families who have lost everything after the storm. 
 

Will you be a ShelterBox Canada Hero Next Year?

 
The ShelterBox Canada Hero program recognizes the commitments and generous support of Rotary Clubs across the country. Rotary Clubs can become a ShelterBox Hero in one of two ways:
  • Donate/fundraise $1,200 every Rotary year for three consecutive years OR
  • Donate/fundraise $3,600 in one Rotary year
 
ShelterBox Heroes will be recognized at their District Conference and be presented with a certificate of achievement. While the 2014-2015 Heroes have already been set, it’s not too late to get a donation in to be a 2015-2016 hero!
 
If you want more information about the program or to see how close your club is to becoming a hero, email Tess Widdifield at tesswiddifield@shelterboxcanada.org
 
Thank you!
 
 
 
 
ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane St Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8