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Water Survival Box latest - Typhoon Washi, Philippines 

 

Good evening to all District International Service Chairmen, Club Presidents, and my fellow Rotarians

Further to updates 11 , 12 and 13 describing the devastating typhoon Sendong/Washi that struck the island of Mindanao, Southern Philippines on Friday, 16 December and our response. You will recall that the first consignment of Water-Survival Boxes was sent to the head of De La Salle College in Manila and then taken to Iligan City in Mindanao where members of the local De La Salle College, working with the Department of Education, organised distribution and briefing sessions for families in Evacuation Centres.

The second consignment of WSBs reached Cagayan de Oro on Sunday, 5 February and were distributed the same day to families most in need in four evacuation centres by local representatives of Humanity First in partnership with the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development. The attached slideshow shows receipt, distribution and briefing sessions.

The latest detailed SitRep (OCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) shows that the lack of potable water continues to be a key concern for some 150,000 people of whom about a third remain in evacuation centres. The assessed priority needs in the affected area currently include the following: · Non Food Items (NFIs) including kitchen utensils, blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans, slippers, clothing · WASH facilities - water, soaps, hygiene kits, and latrines, water kits, hyposol and jerry cans · Food items - ready-to-eat food with appropriate nutrition (noodles and rice) · Potable/ drinking water, water purifiers, portable tents.

Finding safe alternative land on which to construct their future homes is expected to take at least six months. Given the scale of this disaster it is probable that we will be asked for further help. Clubs keen to assist are asked to make their cheques payable to ˜Worldwaterworks LimitedTM" and send them to the registered office of our Rotary charity at Westfield Business Centre, 32 Second Avenue, Westfield Trading Estate, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 4BH.

Hugo Pike PHF - Director of Operations, Worldwaterworks Limited  - PP RC Chelwood Bridge, D1200 

9 February 2012