ShelterBox Canada News Update - March 28, 2011

Posted by Hadi Mortada 
on Mar 29, 2011
 
SBiC old header file
ShelterBox Canada News Update
March 28, 2011
ShelterBox Response Team in Japan
doing everything it can to help families in need   

Lifesaving aid from ShelterBox is helping families in Japan as they begin to rebuild their lives after the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on March 11, 2011.  

Japan family

The most vulnerable is being welcomed by officials in Japan's Prefectural government system who say ShelterBoxes will be used to provide emergency assistance to The charity's work.

Takanori Hirai, Director of the Climate Change and Energy Policy Division for the Iwate Prefectural Government said: 'We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind donation of ShelterBoxes after Japan's horrible earthquake and tsunami disaster.

 

'These ShelterBoxes will be used in a variety of ways; as shelters in the affected areas, protecting the privacy of those living in shelters and creating a space for families to live in.  

 

ShelterBox tents have been used to provide privacy and restore dignity to families sheltering in an evacuation centre - a school gymnasium - in Ofunato, a coastal town which was devastated by the tsunami. 

 

One of the families to receive a ShelterBox tent were Rah (father), Rie Hatakeyama (mother), Kahoh (9-year old son) and 11 month old Yasushi.

 

Speaking to ShelterBox Field Operations Specialist Mark Pearson (UK), Rah said: 'My house disappeared in the tsunami. Since the tent arrived it has made things much better for us, at the evacuation centre privacy is important to us. 

 

Canadian Ron Noseworthy joins ShelterBox disaster response effort in Japan

  

ShelterBox Canada Board Chair and ShelterBox Response Team member Ron Noseworthy is now in Japan helping with the transport and distribution of ShelterBoxes to families in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Ron reported on the conditions after his arrival in Japan. 'I have seen much destruction during previous deployments to a number of major disasters including the China and Haiti earthquakes;  the physical damage from  the Japan tsunami is incomparable'. 

 

Families grateful for ShelterBox solution in Japanjapan truck boy

 

Hashimoto-san, a local politician from the Iwate Prefecture who has lent his expertise and local network to help ShelterBox's efforts in the country, said: 'It'll be up to three months before temporary housing can be made available to those displaced by the tsunami.

'Many individuals who have been forced to choose between crowded displacement centres or dependence on the hospitality of friends and neighbours will prefer the independence and privacy afforded by the ShelterBox solution. 

 'We hope ShelterBox can support us with the quantities required in a timely fashion to make this possible. The displaced were concerned about the long wait ahead before the completion of government temporary housing and are relieved and grateful for the solution ShelterBox has provided.'


ShelterBox was on the ground in Japan less than 24 hours after the earthquake struck and since then has been working around the clock to provide to help the families affected by the disaster. 
 
It's the most complex disaster scenario I ever had to deal with and this includes the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Haiti earthquake,' said ShelterBox Field Operations Specialist Mark Pearson. 'As we continue to assess the affected areas we found 60 people living in their cars who now all want a ShelterBox tent'.

How to support ShelterBox Canada 

 

Donations received will ensure our continued readiness to respond quickly in times of disaster, providing families in need with life saving shelter and support. 

 

Please note that ShelterBox Canada cannot accept funding designated to specific countries or disasters.

 

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 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

 

ShelterBox Canada

159 Jane Street. Office 2

Toronto, Ontario

M6S 3S5

647-352-1930 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            647-352-1930      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

toll free 1-855-875-4661 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-855-875-4661      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

support@shelterboxcanada.org

www.shelterboxcanada.org

 

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE SHELTERBOX RESPONSE TO THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI visit www.shelterboxcanada.org