Shelter box update

Dear Lois,

As the death toll rises and flooding causes mosquito born disease fears to grow, ShelterBox is talking to government officials and partner aid agencies about how, and where, to respond most effectively to shelter needs. A ShelterBox response team is assessing the need in country and specifically in the area of Portoviejo.

With thousands instantly made homeless, and many families still sleeping in the open or in hastily commandeered shelters, the need is great. ShelterBox is working hard to help 2,000 vulnerable families by providing Shelter Kits which allow families to repair and rebuild, as well as and various other essential aid items such as solar lights, mosquito nets and water filtration systems.

Canadian ShelterBox Response Team Member, Claire Noseworthy (Kenora, ON) is on standby to be deployed as part of the next team into the country. As the damage caused by this earthquake was severe, ShelterBox will likely be in Ecuador for some time ensuring that the most vulnerable are taken care of.

ShelterBox Canada Executive Director, Stephanie Christensen, recently returned home after being in Fiji responding to Cyclone Winston. Christensen says, "Having just returned from delivering ShelterBox aid Fiji, where I witnessed the devastation caused by Category 5 Cyclone Winston, I know how important ShelterBox aid is to families who have lost everything. When ShelterBox aid is delivered, you can see the relief on the faces of our beneficiaries - ShelterBox doesn't just provide shelter and supplies, we provide a fresh start. This would not be possible in Fiji, Ecuador or anywhere else around the world without our donors help."

Please consider donating today to help the people in Ecuador and around the world who have been left homeless because of disasters.