1 The first consignment of 200 Water-Survival Boxes reached Port au Prince on 29 January
having been flown to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic where they were loaded onto a truck for the road journey to Port au Prince. They were consigned to PP Dr Claude Surena (Rotary Haiti Disaster Chair) for distribution by Rotarians and members of the local Red Cross Society. At the same time Dr Surena is also liaising with the Haiti Government’s Water Committee in planning the co-ordinated supply of water aid which remains a critical requirement for survivors – not least because of the high daytime temperatures and the growing concerns about disease. Former RI Director Barry Rassin and PDG Dick McCombe led a Rotary team to Haiti to carry out a detailed assessment of need. This emphasises the continuing need for clean water, food, and shelter. The summary assessment report can be seen at: http://www.clubrunner.ca/dprg/DxHome/_home.aspx?did=7020
2 The French Search and Rescue team (Pompiers sans Frontieres - PoSF) continue to provide medical care for refugees injured or traumatised by the earthquake in the refugee camp outside Leogane where theinitial 50 Water-Survival Boxes are in use. Appreciating the relevance of the WSB to such a disaster where the availability of clean water is essential to protect against water-borne disease further supplies were requested and a second consignment of 60 WSBs was sent to PoSF c/o French Embassy in Haiti on 11 February. The second consignment reached Santo Domingo on 12 February and has now been trucked from there into Port au Prince.
3 Another three hundred boxes consigned to Dr Surena (Rotary Haiti Disaster Chair) left our depot on 8 February and have now arrived in Port au Prince. This brings the total sent to 610 (sufficient to supply clean water for 3000 people for one year or 6000 for 6 months).
4 During the past week a further 200 Water-Survival Boxes were packed and are booked onto a flight chartered by ShelterBox leaving Stansted on 28 February. A rolling programme is planned to continue for the foreseeable future so that some 200 boxes are packed every 10 days.
5 Last year we supplied 100 WSBs to Taiwan following the devastation caused by Typhoon Morakot. PP Dr Jo Wong, who coordinated the Rotary aid through World Vision Taiwan made contact in the second week of this operation. She is coordinating aid for Haiti and we agreed that funds from Taiwan could be converted into packed boxes that we would send to Haiti. Taiwan is the only Asian country to have a diplomatic relationship with Haiti. During the past week a bank transfer for some £42,700 was received representing the cost of a 285 WSBs. This is both a very generous donation for the benefit of earthquake survivors in Haiti and the clearest indication possible of the value of the Water-Survival Box in the aftermath of such a disaster. New stock has been ordered that will enable us to sustain the packing operation and supply to Dr Surena and his Rotary team in Port au Prince.
6 Our French twin Club have enlisted the help of four other Rotary Clubs in the Bordeaux region and plan to raise funds sufficient to pay for 50 boxes. Their District Governor has been informed and is now encouraging support from Clubs throughout District 1690. A presentation on the Water-Survival Box will now be included in District 1690 Annual Conference that takes place on 6 April.
7 Donations received to date total some £161,000 - sufficient to cover the cost of 1070 Standard WSBs. In addition to the donation from Rotary District 3480 in Taiwan special mention should be made of Districts 1020 (£3600 to date); 1060 (£1050); 1070 (£8160); 1100 (£5950); 1110 (£13830); 1140 (£1600); 1200 (£48,251); 1210 (£2100); and 1250 (£6400). Eight other districts have also contributed to the total. Our first donation from the Czech Republic arrived this week – thanks to the Rotary Club of Hluboka (District 2240) that is twinned with the Rotary Club of Wiveliscombe and District in Somerset. This follows a District 1200 GSE visit to the Czech and Slovak Republics in 2009. We are aware of the wide range of fund-raising activities being run by Rotary Clubs, local communities, schools, and individuals across the country and are most grateful for your tremendous efforts. Please pass our thanks to all your Clubs and members. Without your help we could not achieve what is being done.
8 Further donations will be very welcome both to sustain our aid to Haiti for as long as it is needed and then to restock for future disasters. Cheques should be made payable to Worldwaterworks Limited and sent either to our registered office (see website) or to me at The White House, Pensford, Bristol BS39 4NE
Please feel free to use the above information when briefing your local news media.
Yours in continuing Rotary Service
Hugo Pike
Chairman – Worldwaterworks Limited (Water-Survival Box project)
PP RC Chelwood Bridge – D 1200.
