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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. The attachment provides relevant extracts from PDG Dick McCombe’s most recent report following a further assessment visit on 20 February. PDG Dick McCombe and PP Claude Surena have now advised that we hold back from sending further supplies of Water-Survival Boxes pending a comprehensive review of the water needs and availability being conducted by the Haiti Water Commission.
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 the initial 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 has now been received by the French team and is being used in the refugee camp. Attached are two of the latest batch of photos sent by the French team showing WSBs being distributed to families in Haiti 3 A total of 700 WSBs have now been sent to Dr Surena (Rotary Haiti Disaster Chair) in Port au Prince. Together with the 110 boxes sent to the Pompiers sans Frontieres team this brings the grand total to 810 (sufficient to supply clean water for 4000 people for one year or 8000 for 6 months). 4 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. 5 Donations received to date total some £170,000 - sufficient to cover the cost of 1133 Standard WSBs. 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.
6 In view of the advice from Haiti we are now able to turn our attention to the unfolding crisis in Chile. An earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale followed by tsunami hit south and central Chile last weekend. Some 450 people are feared dead and up to 2 million made homeless. Although President Michele Bachelet initially stated that outside aid was not required that situation has now changed. We have established contact with Rotarian Jorge Vega Diaz in Valparaiso who would appear to be responsible for co-ordinating incoming aid from Rotary sources. Although our stocks of packed boxes is currently low we will be packing further supplies over the next two weeks and expect to be able to send an initial consignment of 200 WSBs to Chile subject to satisfactory arrangements being made there for receipt, transit through customs, distribution to those most in need and feedback to us. 7 Donations will be very welcome to sustain our aid to Chile (and Haiti when we are requested for further supplies) 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. See also http://www.ribi.org/news/articles/box-clever Yours in continuing Rotary Service Hugo Pike Chairman – Worldwaterworks Limited (Water-Survival Box project) PP RC Chelwood Bridge – D 1200. |
