The first consignment of 60 Water Survival Boxes was sent to the Philippines in 2004 following a devastating typhoon. Since then aid has been sent to many countries in SE Asia, Africa, S America and the Caribbean and today also sends them to Ukraine to help both those fighting on the front line as well as the many thousands of innocent and helpless families who have lost everything.
Clean water is the first priority. The water purification kit is an easy to use device which turns contaminated water into safe water fit for drinking by both cleaning it and also filtering out water-borne diseases. The filters in the box have very fine micro-pores which block all bacteria and viruses but allow clean water to pass through.
In most natural disasters, homes have been destroyed and all possessions lost so the second priority is to provide means of survival. Each box also contains a range of essential survival items including cooking pots, bowls/plates, mugs, and utensils; health and hygiene items; basic shelter comprising a large re-inforced plastic sheet, rope and simple tools.
The trustees have a policy of continuous improvement through continual review, informed by feedback from those involved in distributing our boxes and on-going research. The box, water purification kit, other contents, as well as methods of delivery and distribution have all been improved over the years and many thousands of them provided for those in need.
Each box costs £150 to produce, a sum financed by the donations of many people including Rotarians and Rotary Clubs. Air transportation costs are now met by an United States charity who find flights and pay the charges for getting boxes from the warehouse to wherever thay are needed
Rotary have, and will continue to supply them for the foreseeable future.