Canadian ShelterBox response team members, Claire Noseworthy (Kenora Rotarian) and Andre Blomenik (Fernie, BC), have been helping to deliver shelter to communities in Southern Malawi, following devastating flooding that first started in January.

 

ShelterBox has been working solidly to reach some of the most vulnerable people in need of shelter. Families whose houses had been completely destroyed by the floods had been living in makeshift shelters made out of sticks and thin plastic sheeting, sleeping at night with just a blanket for protection.

 

It has been so difficult to access some regions that the teams are still finding areas in great need of aid, almost three months after the initial disaster. Andre Blomenik said: ‘We have seen a repeated story within these areas, of a young, single mother with two, three or four children and a destroyed home. It is often a single parent household and many of the families we met have experience of poor health, often HIV or diabetes.’

 

One of our beneficiaries was Eunice, who is HIV positive. She is not only the sole caregiver for her children, one of whom is deaf, but also looks after her mother who has health and mobility issues of her own.

 

The ShelterBox teams are working in the districts of Zomba and Mulanje. They are focusing their attention on distributing aid to people in their own communities so that they can be near to their land and their families, and can sooner rebuild their homes.

 

 

ShelterBox continues to help people in Vanuatu left homeless after a category 5 cyclone hit the Pacific Islands. Peter Pearce, from Gosford North Rotary (Australia), went to Vanuatu within 48 hours of the airport opening to begin delivery of Shelter Kits, tents and other essential lifesaving items.

 

Many of the outer lying islands were severely hit. The cyclone had decimated homes in its path. It doesn’t take much to flatten the houses as most are constructed using bamboo and soft wood, they have all gone as have all of their crops.

 

While on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, our ShelterBox response volunteers have been staying in ShelterBox tents and using ShelterBox equipment, such as water filters and cooking utensils. Being self-sufficient means that our volunteers aren't putting a strain on limited resources and can focus on helping the people who truly need it.

 

Reaching the remote areas that most need support is a long process, but your support enables us to send the supplies and ShelterBox response volunteers to do this. Thank you

 

For the latest updates and to make a donation please visit www.shelterboxcanada.org 

 

Thank you for your support and for making our response possible.