'Shelterbox' USA - A new way to approach disasters quickly

[Are_grits_groceries]

What does ShelterBox do?
Our mission is to deliver immediate relief to victims of natural and other disasters anywhere around the world.
Disasters to which we have responded include earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, floods, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and typhoons.
We achieve our mission by providing rugged 10-person tents to be used as emergency accommodation and other survival essentials as required.
As of January 2008, ShelterBox has sent aid to over 40 different countries, providing shelter for approaching 500,000 people.
<snip>
How does ShelterBox spend its money?
ShelterBox Trust's latest audited figures (2006-2007) show that 92% of our international income was spent directly on the boxes, their contents, and deployment costs; 6% on support costs; 1% on management and administration and 1% on fundraising and publicity. In the US, ShelterBox USA allocates 85% to boxes, contents, and deployment costs; 15% is retained for administrative and operating expenses.
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BOXES
What's in a ShelterBox?
Each ShelterBox is a large, rugged, green plastic container that holds a 10-person tent and a range of other equipment. In general, typical box contents could include:
• Thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets
• Waterproof ponchos and bin bags
• A multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint!
• Cooking pans, utensils, bowls and mugs
• Collapsible water containers and water purification tablets
• A basic tool kit – hammer, axe, saw, pliers, hoe head, trenching shovel, rope etc
• A small, children's pack containing drawing books, crayons, pens etc.
However, a range of equipment is kept in stock. This allows ShelterBox to be flexible and adjust the contents of the box according to local conditions and what is most urgently needed.

Sometimes – particularly if other resources are available locally and the overwhelming need is for shelter – we will just send tents and pack two in each box.

Once assembled, boxes will be banded and sealed ready for transit. They are also individually numbered so each box can be tracked and donors can know its final destination.

Do you send anything else?
In any disaster a large number of victims will inevitably be children. Schools will often have been destroyed along with homes and other buildings. ShelterBox will, therefore, sometimes include blue ‘school boxes' in their consignments along with the usual green boxes. These contain essential tools for teachers, including blackboard paint and chalk, along with basic school supplies for 50 children. School boxes are funded entirely by independent UK resources.

Depending on the situation, we also sometimes send out – in about one box in 10 – a wind-up, solar-powered radio capable of receiving FM and other transmissions (LW, MW & SW) so that communities can hear broadcasts from local authorities, aid agencies etc.

http://www.shelterboxusa.org/Default.aspx

Lots more info at the site. Interesting idea.

[niyad]

1. k and r

[cali]

2. that is very cool.

[niyad]

3. there is also a company--have to look them up later--that creates temporary, recyclable housing that

can be put up in nearly no time. some amazing things out there.

[Dappleganger]

4. A big K&R!

Excellent, I'm going to read up on them more!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. I love this! Thank you. They need to add a little container of high protein bars.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. And a first aid kit.

[liberal N proud]

6. Great idea

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. There are water purification tablets.

One pack of 180 water purification tablets or a water purification kit; and one 5 gallon flat-pack water container (Each tablet will purify a full container of water providing 1,800 gallons of clean drinking water which should be sufficient for a family of ten for up to three months).

[liberal N proud]

14. I missed that on first read

[AwakeAtLast]

9. That is one of the best things I've ever seen

Now if they can make one that has ready-to-eat food in it to deliver side-by-side, initial relief efforts would be much easier!

:kick: & R!

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. This is one group that should be seriously funded.

They would be needed anywhere, but in Haiti without any infrastructure they would fill imperative needs.

[postulater]

11. Brilliant idea!

[DKRC]

12. Thanks! Posted to another forum

I belong to so more people will see this.
:thumbsup:

K&R

[elocs]

13. Haiti has been mostly deforested, and this is something they need all the time:

http://www.sunoven.com/

Sun Ovens International has been working in Haiti for the past 11 years. During that time deforestation has increased the need for an alternative to cooking with wood and charcoal. The recent earthquake has intensified the need for solar cooking and water purification. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians are homeless and camps will need to be opened to provide food and shelter for Haiti's Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Plans are underway to provide Sun Ovens to the IDPs in Haiti. We are partnering with the Friends of Haiti Organization (FOHO) to send as many Sun Ovens as we can to Haiti. On January 28, 2010, FOHO in partnership with Feed My Starving Children will be sending a shipping container with 270,000 meals and Sun Ovens to Port au Prince, Haiti. There is room for additional Sun Ovens to be included with this shipment and additional shipments are being planned.

Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Checks should be made payable to:
Friends of Haiti Organization
P. O. Box 222
Holland, OH 43528
(Please note the donation is for the Sun Oven project.)

FOHO is a 501C3 nonprofit prganization so all donations will be tax deductable. 100% of the donation will go directly to sending Sun Ovens to Haiti. No administrative expenses will be deducted. FOHO has been working in Haiti for 45 years and has sent over 1,400 Global Sun Ovens and 12 Villager Sun Ovens to Haiti.

Haiti has plenty of sunshine which can not only be used to boil their water to make it safe for drinking, but also to cook their food. Here is a Sun Oven that is used for an entire village in a developing country:

Solar ovens are a great thing for developing countries and great for all of us also. I've had and used one for years and all you need is sunshine, even in the middle of a Wisconsin winter.