ShelterBox Update – March 2016

Posted by Stephanie Christensen 
on Mar 02, 2016
 

Cold, hard facts from the DPRK

 
When a family loses its home, it’s devastating. However, when a family loses its home in the depths of winter, with temperatures as low as -25°C, it’s a matter of life and death. 
 
In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (the DPRK), families are facing the bite of winter with nowhere safe or warm to sleep. Year after year, floods and severe storms have smashed through the countryside, tearing homes in two and destroying crops. This means there are currently no building materials and little hope of rebuilding again until spring.
 
The cold, hard facts about the winter in the DPRK:
  • Cold weather kills 20 times as many people as hot weather
  • Temperatures of -18°C with wind speed of 24km/hr will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes
  • Children lose heat faster and are more vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite
  • Winter temperatures in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea fall below -25°C
 
Alf Evans, the Operations Manager at ShelterBox Trust in the UK, visited the DPRK after the country was struck by Typhoon Bolven. His video diary shows the desperate conditions people are living in, and the difference ShelterBox can make to a freezing family this winter. Watch his video diary and other videos on our YouTube page at www.youtube.com/ShelterBoxCA
 

Canadian Volunteer assists with flooding in Paraguay

 
Paraguay recently faced the worst flooding in 50 years. In some places the waters poured over flood defenses built nine meters above the usual water level. ShelterBox Canada Response Team member, Dan Huisman of Smithers, BC, deployed to assess the need for shelter.
 
The floods in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion and the surrounding areas have been caused by heavy El Niño rains and have forced 130,000 people from their homes.  
 
ShelterBox is working with the Paraguayan Red Cross to carry out assessments and distribute aid.  2,000 Shelter Kits have been requested for distribution to Asuncion city and surrounding countryside. Currently ShelterBox has 100 ShelterBoxes in country being held by a local Rotary Club and these ShelterBoxes will be utilized in our continued response.
 
While SRT Dan Huisman has returned home, our teams are still responding and to give families in need the tools and supplies they require so that they can feel peace and safety once more.
 
 
ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane St Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8