ROTARY AND SHELTER-
BOX ON THE GROUND IN HAITI

Even as parts of Haiti were still recovering from a
catastrophic 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew
tore through the impoverished island country 4 Oct-
ober, leaving hundreds dead and many more home-
less.

The Category 4 storm affected an estimated 330,000
people in Haiti, including 6,400 who were moved to temp-
orary shelters. Extensive damage to main bridges and
other transportation networks have left some areas cut
off and vulnerable. Torrential rains have resulted in flood-
ing and landslides. And contaminated water supplies threat-
en to lead to a surge in cholera cases and other waterborne
illnesses.

A ShelterBox response team of volunteers from Canada,
England, New Zealand, and the United States traveled to
Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, last week to assess the dam-
age and decide how best to help people. ShelterBox, an in-
dependent charity, is Rotary's project partner for disaster
relief.

Working with Rotary members, government authorities, and
other relief agencies, ShelterBox is focusing on the cholera
outbreak in the southern region of the island and emergency
shelter. A shipment of ShelterBox supplies arrived in Les
Cayes, in the south of Haiti, on Wednesday, which likely will
be used to help health professionals screen and treat cholera
victims.

"We hope to provide ShelterKits along with other crucial sup-
plies like solar lights, mosquito nets, water purification units,
and water carriers. All of which will help in the fight against
cholera," says Chris Warham, chief executive of ShelterBox.

With wind speeds reaching 155 miles per hour, Hurricane Mat-
thew is considered the worst storm to make landfall in Haiti
in more than 50 years.

STORM'S PATH HITS UNITED STATES AND CANADA

The destructive path of the hurricane cut through communities
in Florida, Georgia, and South and North Carolina, USA, and
as far northeast as Nova Scotia, Canada, causing flooding,
severe damage, injury, and death. Rotary members are work-
ing together to provide emergency supplies and help families
find shelter.

"Rivers are still rising and expected to crest on Sunday," says
Rusine Mitchell Sinclair, governor of District 7710 in North
Carolina. "We'll work with our neighboring districts to pro-
vide relief once the flooding has peaked and we can get in
to assess what's needed."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Disaster Network Assistance Rotarian Action Group 
and Rotary District 7020 are collecting donations for
relief in Haiti and the Bahamas. The initial funds will be
used to replace the roofs of 1,000 homes and provide
Sawyer water filtration systems. Please visit their web-
site to learn about ways to give.

If you would like to help those affected in North
Carolina, send donations to District 7710.

Rotary staff are in touch with district leaders in other
areas affected by hurricanes Matthew and Nicole and
are also monitoring storms in the Pacific. Contact 
relief@rotary.org for information about how to con-
tribute to other districts.

Follow ShelterBox on Twitter and Facebook for the
latest updates.

Learn how you can help at ShelterBox.

Rotary News