Haiti Relief: What can you do?

The Aquabox (via aquabox.org)

While long-term rebuilding is most certainly an issue that Haitians will have to face in the months and years following last week’s earthquake, the Rotary Club of Stratford, Ontario, has offered a “band-aid solution” for providing clean water during this state of emergency.

“During a natural disaster, water systems can be polluted or broken very easily,” says Jim Scott, chair of the Club’s Aquabox committee. “We can get Aquaboxes to the people and that can tide them over until the repairs are made.”

Developed by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth in Derbyshire, England, the Aquabox is a plastic tank with water purification (chlorine) tablets that can make polluted water safe to drink. “One box worth of supplies will provide 1,100 litres of clean water,” says Scott. “That’s enough for four people drinking 10 cups each per day for four months.”

As far as Scott knows, the Stratford Club is the only Rotary organization in North America doing the Aquabox project. Since last week, they’ve had interest and donations from Clubs all over Canada and the United States—even one in Sweden. In addition to Haiti, the Club has sent boxes to countries such as Bolivia, Peru, Nicaragua and Guatemala. “We try to do our work in the western hemisphere.”

When Scott and I spoke on Friday, the Stratford Rotarians had raised nearly $64,000 and sent 100 boxes to Haiti. The boxes come packed with essential welfare items for a disaster situation.

“We’ve exhausted our supply here and ordered more,” says Scott. “As soon as we get the boxes, we’ll get them put together and sent away right away. We’d really like to build up a good inventory here.”

Finding a Canadian supplier for the chlorine tablets would expedite the process and help provide relief sooner. Currently, Scott tells me, the Club imports the tablets from Britain. “We’d like to do business in Canada if we can,” says Scott.

To learn more about the Aquabox, click here.

To make a donation to the Stratford Rotary Club’s Aquabox initiative, click here.

To help with purification supplies for the Haiti effort, email the Stratford Rotary Club.

Water Canada would like to hear how your company is helping relief efforts in Haiti and other communities in need. Please email kerry@watercanada.net to share your stories.