WHAT IS SHELTERBOX AUSTRALIA?
Steve Crosling, from Shelterbox Australia, both represents and presents Shelterbox Australia. The theme of Shelterbox is that shelter is a human right which is why the concept of creating a sixty-five kilogram green plastic box containing essential items for those in need, Given the weight of the box it requires at least two people to transport it.
Established in Cornwall, UK, and spread then over the UK, and now worldwide, the concept was privatised but also found that it required the Rotary brand to assist in its appeal and market reach.
A recent example of the need for this valuable resource is the recent tragedy in Haiti. Whilst Shelterbox Australia tends to focus on the South Asia Pacific region as an area with one of the highest levels of natural disasters globally. With the reduced number of disasters Shelterbox Australia has been asked to assist in the recent Haitian earthquake. Local Rotarians contact Shelterbox Australia, and then the United Nations instigates other areas of assistance. Rotarians ask two questions - What do you want? How can we help you?
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
The goal of Shelterbox Australia is to keep families, villages and people within our region together. To expedite the delivery of these kits an agreement has been secured with the US government to store kits in US hangars at air bases in the Philippines. The Philippines has the highest incidence of natural disasters in the world.
EDUCATIONAL AID
What else can Shelterbox help with? Their tents are sent to remote areas to be used for schools. In fact there is a school box with teaching aids which gives teachers and students the opportunity to return to school and returning them to a normal sense of life.
How can we get involved? There are 2 ways Firstly the physical aspect by joining one of the RESPONSE TEAMS. Anyone any Rotarian, who wishes to help is welcome. Volunteers are trained in all the basics of support with three days' training in Brisbane. After that further specialist training in emergency response etc is undertaken in the UK.
Further to this is the financial support which one can provide and you can find more of that information at www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au