Media Release
For immediate use
18 July 2012
ShelterBox heads to Russia to help latest flood victims
More funds needed to keep the ShelterBoxes full - Donate at www.shelterbox.org.nz
As wild weather beats its way around the globe, ShelterBox has sent 150 emergency ShelterBoxes, 50 tents and a
ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) to help devastated families in the worst affected areas of Krasnodar in Russia, the
latest region to be affected by severe flooding.
Local Rotarians report thousands of damaged and destroyed homes, with families taking refuge on rooftops and in trees.
ShelterBox New Zealand Director, Mike Cahill explained: “ShelterBoxes contain a tent plus lifesaving supplies for
families left with nothing through disaster. The extra tents mean volunteers currently clearing flood debris can stay
longer and help.
“The whole world has witnessed extremes of weather during the last few months and thousands of families have found
themselves left with nothing. ShelterBoxes, our emergency response teams and Rotarians in the affected areas are helping
families at a time of utmost need”.
To keep up with demand, ShelterBox New Zealand is working to raise funds. Every ShelterBox contains items a family needs
to survive in the aftermath of a disaster - tent, stove, water purification equipment, tools, blankets and more. Each
box costs $1500 to fill and nothing is wasted – even the box gets used, often turned into a cradle for the babies while
families rebuild their lives.
A global organisation, ShelterBox in New Zealand is run by a dedicated team of Rotary volunteers across the North and
South Islands. Our own Kiwi emergency team has been deployed in a number of countries including Fiji, Japan, the
Philippines - and here at home following the Christchurch earthquakes.
Mike added: “Last year, ShelterBox deployed to a disaster or emergency somewhere in the world every two weeks! That’s an
enormous number of families left with nothing and reliant on the generosity of their neighbours around the world.
ShelterBoxes are constantly in demand and it costs around $1500 to fill each one. This means our fundraising efforts are
continual so we can maintain these essential supplies”.
Anyone can donate to help families around the world at their time of greatest need by clicking on the ‘donate’ buttons
at: www.shelterbox.org.nz.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SHELTERBOX
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world affected by disasters at the
time when they need it the most. The goal is to help 50,000 families every year. In the 11 years since ShelterBox was
founded, we have responded to almost 200 natural or manmade disasters in over 75 different countries and provided
lifesaving aid for well over one million people.
To find out more, visit www.shelterbox.org.nz.
ENDS