Rotary International District 1250

Disasters come in many forms - earthquake; cyclone; flood; refugee displacement - but all share a common factor. The most urgent single problem facing the relief agencies is the provision of a supply of safe drinking-water.

In some cases, it may be possible for the relief agencies to supply water from outside the affected area. In others, there is clearly a need for those suffering in the aftermath of a disaster to achieve an early, if temporary, self-sufficiency in the supply of safe drinking-water.

One Solution is AQUABOX, a robust plastic tank with water purification tablets and packed with essential welfare items for a disaster situation. Once the welfare contents have been removed, each AQUABOX can be used to purify up to 1100 litres of polluted water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. As an example, 1100 litres is equal to 5,000 cups - that is enough for a family of four people (drinking 10 cups per day) for about four months.

What's in it?

The standard AQUABOX comprises a rigid plastic container that has a single filter and enough purification tablets to provide 1100 litres of clean drinking water. It is designed for Rotary Clubs and others such as individuals, schools, churches, scouts, guides and other community groups to fill with added welfare aid items selected from a published list. Foodstuffs, drugs and medicines should not be included. Survival bags are added before it is despatched to an aid agency for use in a disaster area.

The cost includes the cost of delivery to us and its return when filled, via our local Post Office to the AQUABOX Central Store at Wirksworth to await call-off by aid agencies.

Every AQUABOX is uniquely numbered enabling any provider, on a 'trackback' basis, to know the ultimate destination of their box.

The insertion of a personal note by senders inviting a personal response is encouraged. On rare occasions a "feed-back" reply may be received. Aquabox like to be told if this happens. The AQUABOX GOLD is a special version of the Standard AQUABOX. It is packed by the Aquabox team and filled with new, specially purchased, humanitarian goods to meet the basic needs of the recipients of Standard Aquaboxes ... and more.

The box is filled to capacity bringing the weight up the maximum shipping weight of 25kg.

The AQUABOX GOLD humanitarian aid packing list exceeds the basic recommended "Standard Aquabox" packing list. It includes at least another ten items or so together with a second filter pack to extend it's water purification life for one family of four to well over six months. The Aquabox Gold does not include clothing.

Each AQUABOX GOLD is filled with new, specially purchased, humanitarian goods and includes two filter kits with water purification tablets, muslin, two taps, four survival bags and instructions "cartoon".

The AQUA30 comprises a rigid plastic container with approximately 75 litre capacity and 30 Filter / Purification sets to give a 33,000 litre capability This version does not contain additional welfare aid items.

It is produced and despatched to areas of dire need and where it is anticipated that they can be well monitored by the recipient aid agencies.

It is not sent out for filling, but is available for sponsor via donations.

What does it cost?

A donation of £50 secures a standard AQUABOX, complete with water treatment kit, which will be sent to you by Parcel Force. Additional filter sets can be ordered for a standard AQUABOX at a cost of £10 each.

The box should then be filled with the welfare items selected from the recommended list. These need not be new - clean second-hand goods are perfectly acceptable. Once filled, the box is returned to Aquabox, who pay the cost of return via Parcel Force using their 48 hour return service. Filled boxes are collected from our address by ParcelForce.

The box is logged in and held in store until a suitable emergency arises. Excellent contacts with aid-agencies, who are responsible for transportation to the point of use and distribution to users, have been established. Aquabox rely absolutely on their judgement and expertise in selecting suitable applications.

Each box is numbered and this number is linked to our club's name. When our box has been despatched, Aquabox can advise us of its destination.

As an alternative, we may prefer to donate £32 to sponsor an AQUABOX to be filled by someone else. Subject to availability, these "sponsored" AQUABOXES can be made available to organisations or individuals who wish to fill them with aid items but who may be unable to fund the cost of provision.

For a donation of £80, AQUABOX GOLD is prepared by Aquabox with new welfare items. B y centrally purchasing the goods on a wholesale basis, they are able to offer a financially attractive alternative to Standard Aquaboxes since they can allocate the cost of transporting boxes for filling towards the cost of purchasing the aid items.

AQUA30 is supplied complete with 30 filter sets but does not contain any other welfare items. These are provided for a donation of £250.

Information provided courtesy of Aquabox Trust, a Registered Charity

Visit their web site at: http://www.aquabox.org/