As well as promoting many ways of raising funds for Haiti British Mummy Bloggers have come together to raise funds to send shelter boxes. English Mum has set up a JustGiving page Bloggers for Haiti to raise funds to send shelter boxes and help some of those families hit by this terrible tragedy. To date Bloggers for Haiti has raised over £3000, which corresponds to 6 shelter boxes. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that specialises in emergency shelter provision by responding instantly to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict by delivering boxes of aid. Each box supplies a family of ten with a tent and lifesaving equipment. Aside from Haiti, since 2001, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth and dignity following over 80 disasters in more than 52 countries.

Each box costs an average of £490 including all materials, packing, storage and distribution to individual recipients worldwide. It contains an entire rescue kit including:

– A ten-person tent with privacy partitions that allow its occupants to divide the space as they see fit

– A range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall

– Life-saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself.

– A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters.  These items enable people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Then, when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.

– A wood burning or multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint.  This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.

– Each box can be adapted to the individual needs of the disaster area, for example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged from one storey buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so ShelterBox just sent tents, packing two in each box.  The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past – from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.

– And lastly, but just as importantly, each box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens.  For children who have lost most, if not all, of their possessions, these small gifts are treasured.

To make your donation click here.