Milford Rotarians Support Typhoon Haiyan Relief Effort
In early November Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated vast parts of the Philippines. Although the news coverage has lessened, the aftermath of this horrific natural disaster remains. According to a November 22nd web posting by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 4.29 million people have been forced from their homes and 13.26 million people have been affected by Haiyan.
In response to this news and as part of Rotary International’s worldwide endeavors, Milford Rotarians stepped up to help in the global relief efforts aimed at addressing the immediate needs of Filipinos affected by this disaster. At the November 20th club meeting, President John mentioned the club's donation for one box and two donations from members for two more boxes. Hands immediately went up along with shout-outs of "I'll help" by a host of members and the total increased to four boxes in a matter of seconds.
ShelterBox is an international charitable relief organization that responds instantly following natural disasters and other humanitarian crises by delivering tents and other emergency supplies to those who need it most. In addition to the current work being done in the Philippines, ShelterBox relief efforts in 2013 assisted victims after the devastating tornados in Oklahoma, the bushfires and flooding in Australia, the flooding in Uganda and India, the conflict in Jordan and the earthquake in the Solomon Islands, just to name a few of their deployments.
Each green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a tent large enough for an extended family of 10, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. Highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute the boxes and supervise the erection of tent cities, working closely with local organizations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide. A complete ShelterBox costs $1,000 and this includes the price of all materials, packing, storage, transport worldwide and distribution to those in need.
To see what’s included in each ShelterBox, Click Here to view their informative brochure.
Rotary International President Ron Burton is urging the 12 million Rotarians and 34,000 clubs worldwide to continue to assist Typhoon Haiyan victims. "I know we all want to help. I am urging our clubs to take action to provide emergency aid now and begin planning for the future when we can help rebuild homes, schools, and businesses," says Burton. "We are in the business of helping people in need."
Such disasters are “exactly why we entered into our partnership with ShelterBox,” says Burton. “It gives Rotary members worldwide the opportunity to respond immediately and in a very meaningful way to the life-threatening conditions faced by the people of the Philippines.”
In 2012, ShelterBox became Rotary International's first project partner. According to the ShelterBox website "Rotary has been instrumental in our growth and Rotarians are the cement that binds us together. Since we were founded, we grew from one club’s adopted project to the largest global Rotary club project in the 100-year history of the organization." For more about this global partnership Click Here.
Pictured above is Bill Decker (US). He is one of ShelterBox's Rotarian Response Team members who is helping bring shelter to families in need in the Philippines. Photo by Simon Clarke, (c) ShelterBox International; and as viewed on the ShelterBox Facebook page.