SHELTERBOXS FOR FIJI

 
SHELTER BOX
OPEN LETTER TO ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENTS SEEKING SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF FIJI
Dear Club President
Cyclone Winston, the strongest cyclone ever to make landfall on Fiji
Some 120,000 people are estimated to need urgent humanitarian shelter assistance following Cyclone Winston, the strongest cyclone ever to make landfall on Fiji.  As a result of strong winds and multiple tsunami-like storm surges, which hit Fiji on February 20, 2016, up to 90% of structures have been destroyed in the hardest hit areas and shelter is an immediate priority.
 
 
ShelterBox response to Cyclone Winston
ShelterBox has been working with Sea Mercy to deliver aid to affected islands.  ShelterBox response teams are currently distributing 100 tents and 82 ShelterBoxes in the most hard-hit villages, and 208 more ShelterBoxes and 2000 solar lights are en route for Fiji.  However, this number is only scratching the surface, and the operations team has identified a large number of additional households who are in desperate need of shelter. The team plans to send 2000 ShelterBoxes to meet this shelter challenge.
 
Why are ShelterBoxes the best solution for families displaced by Cyclone Winston?
At present, there is a lack of ready-to-use lumber and shelter building material on the islands.  This means that the distribution of shelter kits would encourage unsustainable cutting of timber that would result in environmental degradation and lead to decreased disaster risk resilience. ShelterBoxes are therefore the best current solution to support families displaced by Cyclone Winston as they enable rapid distribution and are not dependent on the provision of further materials.  The tents will ensure that families have access to safe and secure shelter as quickly as possible and will help them to resume livelihood activities.
 
We need to raise $2 million to provide shelter for 2000 households in Fiji.
In order to support the 2000 households who have lost their homes, ShelterBox needs to raise an additional $2 million.  ShelterBox’s support will enable families whose homes were destroyed in the cyclone to move into secure, dry shelter and return them their dignity.  The 2000 solar lamps will provide light, protect vulnerable families from threat and enable them to resume livelihood activities.
 
Are you able to help meet this need?
Does this disaster resonate in your club?  Do you have donors who’d be interested in supporting this response?  The closer we can get to $2 million, the more shelter we are able to provide to families who lost their homes in the cyclone.
If you are able to contribute to this total, it would help us to reach more families whose lives have been devastated by this storm.  To contribute, go to http://www.shelterboxaustralia.com.au/library/downloads/SBA-Donation-Form-2011.pdf
 
We really appreciate everything that you do and want to thank you in advance for making an extra push for families displaced by Cyclone Winston.  Together we can give safe shelter to 2000 homeless families. 
 
Thank you for considering our request.
 
Rowley

ROWLEY TOMPSETT CRLSS, JP
(Denise)

Chair, ShelterBox Australia Ltd (2015-)

Associate Member, Institute of Community Directors Australia | Advanced Diploma of Personnel & Operations Management | Diploma of Administrative Studies | Diploma of Government (Management)

4 Cockatoo Close, Nicholls ACT 2913 | PO Box 731, Gungahlin ACT 2912 | +61 422 235 095 | rowleytompsett@optusnet.com.au