Saturday 01 January 2011
Busiest year in ShelterBox’s history draws to a close
2010 saw the 100,000th ShelterBox distributed to a family in Pakistan. Photograph: Mark PearsonThis year marked ShelterBox’s tenth anniversary and has been the busiest year to date for the charity.
More than 45,000 ShelterBoxes have been distributed to families in desperate need providing emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for over 450,000 people.
From the Haiti earthquake in January to the floods in Colombia in December, ShelterBox has responded to the biggest disasters of the year. Alongside this, the charity has also helped thousands of people affected by disasters not seen in the media.
Simply put, if there is an unmet need for emergency shelter when disaster strikes ShelterBox will do everything it can to meet the need.
2010 saw ShelterBox deliver aid in 17 countries (Kenya, Haiti, Peru, Egypt, Chile, Uganda, Fiji, China, Mexico, Guatemala, Pakistan, Brazil, Niger, the Philippines, Indonesia, St Lucia and Colombia) in response to 22 disasters.
A further two ‘needs assessment’ deployments were conducted in Indonesia after an earthquake struck Sumatra in April and floods in Benin in October. A post-monitoring evaluation deployment was also carried out in Niger.
This has lead to a total of 45,046 ShelterBoxes being delivered to families in need during 2010; nearly five times as many as 2009.
ShelterBox Founder and CEO Tom Henderson said: ‘Ten years ago I had one box and I set about trying to make a difference. Ten years later and ShelterBox is a globally represented charity making a significant contribution to disaster relief on the world stage.
‘The past year has seen us face some of our biggest challenges and we have proved, yet again, the absolute and imperative need for good quality emergency shelter to protect the hundreds and thousands of lives that are threatened every year following disasters of all types and magnitudes.
‘Our work would not be possible without the support we receive from everyone who holds a passion for ShelterBox and the work we do. Words can’t express the depth of gratitude we have for everyone who has supported our work, especially our wonderful volunteers.’
103,254 ShelterBoxes have been sent into disaster zones around the world providing emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies to families who have lost everything since 2000. This year saw he 100,000th ShelterBox distributed in Pakistan to a family who lost their home in the devastating floods that swept through the country in August.
Tom Henderson added: ‘I’d like to extend my deepest thanks to all of you for contributing to our disaster relief efforts. It’s because of your support that there are thousands of families, even as you read this, calling a ShelterBox tent their home. Your support has helped save and protect hundreds and thousands of lives.
'We would like to wish you all the happiest of new year's and all the very best for 2011.'
