Rotary Club aid to Burma

Date article online: 12/05/2008

The Rotary Club of Rochdale has joined other Rotary Clubs across the world in assisting the people of Burma.

The Club has donated £1,000 for another two ShelterBoxes. Rotary International has already delivered over 600 ShelterBoxes.

Local Rotarian and Rochdale Online Director John Kay said: "This is an example of Rotary in action and is why so many people are now joining the Rotary movement."

Action Taken
6 May - Myanmar (Burma): ShelterBox responds immediately to the devastating cyclone to hit Myanmar. 22,000 lives are reported to have been lost and 95% of houses are destroyed as the cyclone swept in-land after several days at sea. 224 boxes left from the pre-positioned site in Dubai over the weekend, 220 boxes have left from Melbourne, Australia and a further 200 boxes with two tents each were packed this morning at the ShelterBox HQ in Helston, Cornwall. A team of four SRT members are making arrangements to assist with the difficult distribution of vital aid.

7 May - Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis in the Irrawaddy Delta on Saturday is now reported to have killed close to 22,500 and left 41,000 missing. ShelterBox today responses by continuing to pack a further 200 boxes bringing the total number of tents to 1044 - the team of four ShelterBox Response Team members are on their way.

Each ShelterBox normally holds a 10-person tent and a range of other equipment, such as:

• Thermal blankets, insulated ground sheets and insecticide treated mosquito nets
  • A wood burning stove.
• 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.
• 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 lets us 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.

All equipment is new and selected for durability, practicality and suitability for where it is needed. Tough, lightweight and waterproof, the box itself can also have many useful functions from food container to cot.

We also continually work with a range of manufacturers to improve the quality and extend the range of equipment that we have available.

Each box is 23.7” (570mm) wide by 33.2” (842mm) long by 22.4” (602mm) deep – giving a capacity of 40.7gallons (185 litres). Fully packed, a box generally weighs between 110lbs and 130lbs (50 to 60kg).

Each box costs an average of £490 – including all materials, packing, storage and distribution to individual recipients worldwide. Based on six months use only – this equates to 27pence per person per day.

Donations can be sent by cheque payable to: “The Rotary Club of Rochdale Trust Company limited” to Rotarian John F Kay, c/o Molesworths Bright Clegg, Solicitors, Octagon House, 25-27 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale OL16 1RH.

Your gift can help save lives and give new hope to families who have lost everything.