This is the next of the ShelterBox diaries, started by TexMex, a place to support the ShelterBox effort, helping out in Mexico, Africa, Pakistan, Haiti, and around the world.
So far the DKos community has contributed over $139,000, enough for 139 ShelterBoxes, providing quality shelter, privacy, and dignity to 1390 people. We are working on #140. Below are donation links where you can help out, and other links to give you more information about ShelterBox. If you report your votes donations in the comments and we will count it toward the DKos total.
Secure donation page
ShelterBox home page
ShelterBoxUSA page
ShelterBox in Canada page
To find out more about ShelterBox, and how you can help, follow along below.
These diaries now are being posted only once a week, on Friday (usually morning), rather than daily. (There may be occasional postings in between) We will continue to monitor the latest diary for donations in between those days.
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Update on ShelterBox efforts in Pakistan:
ShelterBox continues to provide vital aid for displaced families in Pakistan as the effects of the monsoon floods cause untold hardship for millions of people.
Nearly a month of rain in August triggered floods that killed thousands, wiped out villages, infrastructure and farmland, and left millions of people homeless.
Logistical pathways into Pakistan have now cleared and emergency shelter for a further 56,000 people will be distributed in the coming weeks. This means ShelterBox has committed emergency shelter for up to 147,590 people in Pakistan, one of the largest commitments in the charity’s history.
ShelterBox Response Team member, Mark Pearson (UK) said: ‘We continue to work with organisations on the ground to get ShelterBox aid to those who need it most. The situation isn’t improving but the simple gift of shelter makes a huge difference to people’s lives.
‘ShelterBox camps continue to stand up to the extreme strains of a disaster situation. We’ve received a lot of praise from international organisations and the media for the way our camps allow families to live in safety, comfort and dignity.
‘Our next steps now will be helping to repatriate people back to the location of their homes as the floodwaters recede. This first repatriation programme will be in the Sindh province where the majority of the displaced are.’
[snip]
ShelterBox’s partners in Pakistan, NRSP (National Rural Support Programme), are ensuring aid is delivered to the families in most need while the German Red Cross have helped distribute thousands of the family LifeStraws ShelterBox has delivered to Pakistan.
Provision of clean water in the Sindh and Punjab provinces is of increasing critical importance and each family LifeStraw can filter up to 10 litres of water an hour.
ShelterBox Operations Coordinator, Jess Stanton, added: ‘After the Haiti earthquake, this is the second largest disaster we’ve ever responded to and in no way should the need be underestimated.
‘Thousands of families are still in desperate need and we’re fully committed to doing everything we can to help.’
Link to original story here.
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Helping with landslides and flooding in Mexico:
Emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for up to 4,000 people are being sent to Mexico to help families in desperate need.
Hundreds of families are living in improvised shelters on their rooftops after floods, mudslides and hurricane damage has caused havoc in southern Mexico.
[snip]
ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Ian Neal (UK), Jennifer Kormendy (CA) and Jack Chambers (UK) have been working with local Rotarians in the Veracruz and Villahermosa areas to assess where the greatest need lies.
[snip]
At present, ShelterBox has committed 400 ShelterBoxes but the team in Mexico fear the need could be even greater.
Link to full story here, and additional updates here.
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Helping in flooded regions of Niger:
Following the devastating floods that have ravaged Niger, ShelterBox Response Team members are working alongside local military, police and firemen to distribute aid to those in most need.
The ShelterBox Response Team initially concentrated aid upon the flood-hit capital of Niamey but have now moved east towards Maradi. Distribution of aid is running very smoothly thanks to the assistance of Rotary groups, local emergency services and military who have all been instrumental in the relief operation.
[snip]
200 ShelterBoxes have now been distributed within the worst affected regions of Niger
Link to full story here.
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As we are hearing, Pakistan remains in desperate need of help. At the same time, ShelterBox continues their work in Haiti, and is now helping out in Mexico, Niger and Guatamala. Over the past months, boxes have also been sent to Chile, Fiji, China, Uganda, Peru, and Brazil. Supplies must be replenished to be able to continue to respond to disasters in Pakistan and around the world. ShelterBox tents are among the few that are actually tested to withstand strong winds and heavy rains (see more info below).
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Storm testing a ShelterBox tent:
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How can you help? We want to make this easy so here's what you do (h/t Bugsby):
- Use one of the links at the top of this diary to get to a donation page. For on-line donations, there are two places to acknowledge Daily Kos: the "In Honor of" section, or the Comments box further down. You can do either or both.
- Once your donation has been made, come back here and post a comment at the bottom of the thread so we can add the donation to the Daily Kos total. Please put the dollar amount in the subject line to help us find it easier. That way we can give you mojo for your gift and confirm any matching funds. ;)
- People who don't want to report publicly, or who don't have a Daily Kos account (hi, lurkers!), can always email TexMex, or carolina stargazer, who will then report the amounts for them (anonymously if desired.) To find those email addresses click the user name in orange anywhere in the diary, or in the user profile.
Now suppose you've got some money you'd like to offer as an incentive to bring in donations. Here's how that's done:
- Scroll down to the bottom of the comments.
- Post a comment about your intentions. Use the subject line stating how much you have available in matching funds.
- State the terms of your match. For instance, if you have $50 which you'd like to use to encourage small donors to participate, you might say you'll match gifts between $5 and $10 up to a total of $50.
- Check back and read the comments following your offer, to see if you've had any takers. The nice folks monitoring this diary will help you keep track. Once your $50 is fully matched, then you follow the link to ShelterBox and donate your 50 bucks.
Additional info about saving on receipt letters (h/t ybruti):
A donor can decline an expensive letter of receipt because first class postage and lovely stationery takes a big bite out of a small donation. People can write a note in the comment box saying an email receipt is sufficient, or send the organization an email to that effect. Then Shelterbox will mark the account "DO NOT MAIL".
In my case, I was told:
We are able to mark your account in the data base "do not mail" and I have done that on your account for any future donations you make to our organization.
And finally, a note from ShelterBox to make all donors aware of this:
by the way, if you could post to the dailykos folks that we cannot take disaster specific donations. While our response to Pakistan will likely eat up our reserve donation of boxes and many of the new donations will go to Pakistan, we cannot guarantee that. The donation form has "We cannot take disaster specific donations" on it so when someone types in the memo "Pakistan", we have to call each person to ask if it would be ok if we could use it for Pakistan or another disaster. Most are good with that but some rescind their donation. If you could post something you'd be a huge help!
I hope this won't dissuade anyone from donating, but just want to make sure everyone understands how they work.
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What's in a ShelterBox?
Each “ShelterBox” supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving 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. Highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organizations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide.
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Flooded out family in the Sindh province of Pakistan:
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Flooded areas of Mexico:
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ShelterBox in Niger:
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Note that while the problems have been largely ignored by much of the MSM, they still exist, and many people still need help. If you are able to help, please consider doing so. There will continue to be many needs over the next weeks and months, so you may also want to consider donating to other organizations as well. Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, please spread the word to others, and leave a comment to express your support.
Thanks.