Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. It has been a devastating time for many communities around New Zealand and the response from New Zealanders to support those communities has been just incredible.
Today, we would like to share with you the work we are doing to support communities around the world. Support that you make possible. Whether you donate, volunteer, or share these stories, your support is changing lives. And we could not do it without you!
Ngā manaakitanga,
The ShelterBox New Zealand Team
ShelterBox Aid arrived in Türkiye and Syria
Last week, tents started to arrive in country on a free flight from Turkish Airlines. We also have blankets and warm winter clothing for children being prepared for distribution. Nighttime temperatures continue to dip below freezing so these items will help protect from icy conditions.
We have a team stationed in Gaziantep,Türkiye right now working through logistical challenges and working alongside local authorities, partners, and Rotary contacts.
This is a hugely complex humanitarian response. Getting aid into Türkiye and Syria is complicated, but we are used to working in challenging environments and are determined to overcome every hurdle to make sure people get the help they need. Being in country allows us to be more agile and tackle these challenges to get aid to those who need us most.
Check out the latest update below from Carrie, part of the ShelterBox response team:
For all of the latest developments keep an eye on our social media pages.
We would like to thank everyone who has already given so generously to this devastating emergency. If you haven’t already donated, it’s not too late. This is an ongoing humanitarian crisis, and our support will be ongoing.
We are fast approaching the first year anniversary of the Ukraine conflict.
ShelterBox has helped more than 37,000 people affected by the war in Ukraine so far. We’ve supported people displaced within Ukraine, as well as refugees who crossed the border into Moldova.
With our attention now firmly on supporting people through the bitter winter months, we’ll be reaching around 30,000 more people with essential items to help them survive. People are living in damaged homes without heating or lighting. That’s why we’re providing thermal clothing, solar lights, water carriers and stoves with our new partner, NNLPD.
We’re also working with Relief Aid and Green Chernobyl to provide emergency shelter repair kits. This will help people fix damaged roofs, seal windows and doors, keep the heat in and make homes watertight.
Lyudmyla received thermal blankets, tarpaulin to repair her roof, a solar light and a shovel and pick axe to help clear the debris.
Ukraine Anniversary Webinar
If you would like an up to date briefing on the current situation in the Ukraine our USA affiliates will be holding a webinar on Wednesday 1 March. You are invited to join this exclusive live webinar. You will hear from ShelterBox response team members upon their return from a trip to the frontlines in Ukraine:
– SBUSA President Kerri Murray, fresh off her latest trip to the frontlines
– Rachel Harvey, Ukraine Program Manager
– Martin Strutton, Emergency Coordinator
In addition, the team will provide an update on our emergency response efforts to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, where the death toll has now surpassed 12,000. With tens of thousands left without a place to live, our work in the region has never been more important.
