ShelterBox
Right now, around 85 million people around the world have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict.
By providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster, ShelterBox is transforming despair into hope.
They are impatient to see a world where no family is left without shelter.
Every year, millions of families worldwide are affected by natural and man-made disasters. As an international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox specialises in emergency shelter provision. This humanitarian aid is delivered in iconic green ShelterBoxes. Each box supplies an extended family with a tent and life-saving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value.
Our club has been a proud supporter of ShelterBox, and have donated funds for several ShelterBox units.
Watch this video explaining ShelterBox
The ShelterBox idea was born in Corwall, UK, when a Rotarian thought there should be something more done to help people after natural disasters. They are sent to all parts of the world after disasters. The programme is now a Rotary partner, and raises funds to deploy thousands of boxes every year. For Australians, each box costs $1,000.
In Australia, our Patron is Air Chief Marshall Sir Angus Houston, AK, AFC (retd.)
Upon accepting the role of patron in March 2015, Sir Angus said,
“I am delighted to accept the offer to become Patron of ShelterBox Australia. Over the years I have been involved in many disaster and humanitarian relief operations. I am acutely aware of the need for the provision of shelter to those in need and ShelterBox brings life saving aid, hope and dignity to families made homeless by disasters worldwide, responding to earthquakes, fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, typhoons and areas of conflict."
In the UK, the President of ShelterBox is the Duchess of Cornwall. In August 2017 she celebrated 10 years in that role.