SHELTERBOX USA

ShelterBox Ukraine update, designated fund established
 
Restricted fund open: ShelterBox USA is accepting gifts specifically designated for our response work to Ukraine and surrounding countries impacted by the conflict.
ShelterBox responding to the Ukraine crisis
ShelterBox has a team in Poland assessing the type of emergency shelter and essential aid items people need, and which locations in eastern Europe we will focus in. This team includes assessment experts, logistics experts, and safety/security experts. We are coordinating with Rotary, and other organizations to ensure that together we help as many people as possible.
Today, ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray provided an update from Poland during the International Women’s Day panel which also features Rotary International President Elect, Jennifer Jones.
 
Assessing in Ukraine and neighboring countries
The ShelterBox team is assessing how we will support people within Ukraine with aid packages made up of items like shelter tool kits, tarpaulins, rope, thermal blankets, mattresses, solar lights, and water carriers. We are also assessing those who have who have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries. Aid for refugees could include portable relief items and even cash assistance to enable people to meet their emergency shelter needs.
Current humanitarian situation in Ukraine
People are fleeing in the bitter cold, leaving their lives and homes behind. Many people in Ukraine are living underground, in places like basements and train stations. Homes are being damaged and destroyed. Hospitals and transport are damaged. People are living without electricity, heating, or water supplies. It is reported that food is running out in some areas. All are facing an uncertain future. Innocent civilians are being killed, families and lives are being torn apart. Hundreds of thousands of people are on the move inside the country or trying to leave. As many as 18 million people may be affected by the crisis. The UN predicts that as many as 4 million refugees may be added because of this crisis. In the last 10 days, over 2 million people are reported to have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries. [as of 8 March].
ShelterBox Head of Emergency Responses, Alice Jefferson, said: “Guarantees are desperately needed to ensure safe passage of civilians. Reliable and predictable windows free of fighting must be ensured, and civilians allowed access to safety and critical supplies and services, free from intimidation, discrimination, and all harm. International law must be upheld.”
What ShelterBox aid items might people need?
Temperatures in these areas drop below freezing at night, so we are looking at how and where items like blankets, mattresses, winter clothes, and heaters may be able to help people stay warm. Homes are being damaged so shelter kits that include tarpaulins and tools may be able to help people seal buildings. Solar lights could help people who are on the move and those living without electricity. We’re also looking at whether temporary shelters could help people before they move to other accommodation available in the countries they are entering.
Most vulnerable people in conflicts are often those left behind – they might be elderly or people with disabilities. We might be looking to, like we have in Syria for so many years, provide support across the border from a neighboring country.
Call for Peace
We stand with the UN in calling for peace and the protection of civilians affected by the conflict in Ukraine. People leaving must be able to do so safely. We must also see humanitarian access maintained throughout the conflict-affected areas so that the people who need support can find it.
We need your help today.
This is an unprecedented and rapidly changing situation, but we are committed to supporting people affected by this crisis. Your support today will provide lifesaving aid for families affected by the Ukraine crisis.
We are experts in humanitarian aid due to conflict
Many Rotarians do not realize that ShelterBox has extensive experience working with conflict related displacement. We began responding to human displacement due to conflict in 2002. Our teams have helped over 400,000 people displaced by the war in Syria. We’re currently supporting people who have fled violence in Ethiopia, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Mozambique. We have provided emergency shelter to people affected by complex crises in countries including Chad, Iraq, Gaza, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Liberia, Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, Kenya, DRC, Sri Lanka, Libya, Myanmar, the Philippines, Angola, Niger, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Timor-Leste. When people are forced to flee their homes leaving their possessions and livelihoods behind, emergency shelter can save lives, and be the first step to recovery.
International Women’s Day Panel: Recorded on 3/8. There is an update from Kerri Murray, ShelterBox USA President who is in Poland with the ShelterBox response team, and featuring Jennifer Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpF_h7RThSE
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