On 26 August, devastating flash floods swept through northern Nepal, affecting the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading near the border with Tibet. Homes, roads, bridges and buildings were swept away, while key infrastructure, including power facilities, suffered significant damage. Communities across the mountainous region have been cut off, making rescue efforts and access to support more difficult.
ShelterBox is responding in Nepal, and distributions of essential aid are now underway. Following assessments of the most urgent needs, our team is working alongside local partners, including Rotary, to get support to families affected by the devastating floods.
Tarpaulins and other essential aid items are now being distributed, with additional supplies, including tents and solar lights, arriving to support the response. We are also locally procuring aid with support from partners on the ground to help reach families as quickly as possible.
This hits home in District 6630 as there is a large population of Nepalese refugees already living and working in our area. In Akron alone North High School and the area known as North Hill have been transformed by the families who have chosen this as their new home.
More information on this effort and ShelterBox in general can be found at www.shelterboxusa.org .
Almost since the beginning of ShelterBox as a global project of Rotary International, District 6630 has been involved heavily. The late PDG Jack Young threw himself into this humanitarian effort selflessly and whole-heartedly. PDG Larry Lohman picked up the baton and ran with it for several years. Last year, I took over as a ShelterBoxUSA Ambassador and the official contact for our district. Many newer Rotarians may know little, if anything, about the project and many experienced Rotarians may not have heard about how the efforts have evolved over its 25 plus year experience. I will continue to provide Newsletter updates and am available for presentations to clubs, schools, community groups and the like. There are representatives in at least two other Ohio districts if you have friends beyond our area (and we are willing to travel).
Doug Hausknecht Rotary Club of Akron
District 6630 ShelterBox representative