Earlier this summer Lawrence Central raised the funds for our first Shelterbox. Well, we’ve received our tracking number and are now waiting to see where it will be deployed. Lawrence Central’s box is #021404 and we can check to see where it’s been deployed here: http://www.shelterboxusa.org/trackbox.php
ShelterBox is a global humanitarian aid organization that provides shelter and life-saving equipment to people affected by disaster – such as earthquakes, volcanos, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis or conflict by delivering aid to the world’s most vulnerable. We work closely with other aid agencies to fill the gap. Other aid organizations have told us that our green box stands out as a symbol of hope in a landscape of disarray. In many cases, our boxes make the difference between life and death.
When disasters strike, ShelterBox works to ensure emergency shelter reaches those locations as quickly as possible, thanks to the generous support of people like you, who are truly making a difference. ShelterBox has firmly established itself at the forefront of international disaster relief, providing aid to survivors of over 170 disasters in nearly 80 countries.
ShelterBox relies significantly on donations like yours. Every dollar goes toward supporting our mission—to provide humanitarian aid in the form of shelter, warmth and dignity to people displaced by disasters.
So What’s in a Shelterbox anyway?
Shelter
At the heart of every ShelterBox is a disaster relief tent for an extended family. It is custom made for ShelterBox by Vango, one of the world’s leading tent manufacturers, and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Internally, each tent has privacy partitions that allow recipients to divide the space as they see fit.
Warmth and protection
In addition to the tent, there is a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent, mosquito nets are supplied, as well as life-saving means of water purification.
At the heart of every ShelterBox is a disaster relief tent for an extended family. It is custom made for ShelterBox by Vango, one of the world’s leading tent manufacturers, and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Internally, each tent has privacy partitions that allow recipients to divide the space as they see fit.
Warmth and protection
In addition to the tent, there is a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent, mosquito nets are supplied, as well as life-saving means of water purification.
Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed. This presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself. Our water purification equipment, the LifeStraw pictured below, can provide a typical family up to three years worth of clean and safe water.
Self sufficiencyA basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters enables survivors to improve their immediate environment by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example, then when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.
Fit for purpose
Every item is durable, practical and brand new. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past – from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newborn baby.
A heart to the home
Key items are either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove. The multi-fuel stove can burn anything from diesel to old paint. Some boxes also contain our specially designed wood burning Frontier Stove, pictured below. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked, and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.
Key items are either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove. The multi-fuel stove can burn anything from diesel to old paint. Some boxes also contain our specially designed wood burning Frontier Stove, pictured below. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked, and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.
A smile
A children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and other supplies. For children who have lost most if not all their possessions, these small gifts are treasured.
AdaptabilityWe keep a broad range of equipment in stock so we can adapt the contents of a box to a specific disaster. For example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged from buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so we just sent tents, packing two in each box.
ShelterBox USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, warmth and dignity to survivors of disaster worldwide.
