ShelterBox Canada Responds to Crisis in Sahel, Providing Shelter for Displaced Families
TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - International disaster relief charity ShelterBox Canada is responding to the Sahel Crisis in West Africa. ShelterBox Response Teams have been deployed to the area to bring emergency shelter to those in need.
Issues of food insecurity, conflict, and widespread displacement across the Sahel have been compounded by massive flooding in Niger, which has destroyed thousands of homes and crop fields. Shelter is a critical necessity for displaced families.
In the village of Gallay Keina in Niger, 450 flood survivors have moved into ShelterBox disaster relief tents. ShelterBox worked with implementing partner Women's Health Alliance (WAHA) International to set up the camp, providing shelter and dignity to families that were forced to flee their homes.
ShelterBox Response Team volunteers in Niger have been working closely with other international and local agencies to assess and prepare for upcoming aid distribution. ShelterBox continues to liaise with ACTED to monitor the situation with flood survivors in the capital Niamey, as well as in refugee camps set up for Malian families that have fled conflict.
ShelterBox Canada has launched a special appeal for donations in response to the Sahel crisis. Executive Director Lisa Salapatek spoke. "We commend the Government of Canada for recognizing the severity of the crisis in West Africa and for setting up a matching donation program. This will double the impact made by our generous supporters." The matching program will be in effect until September 30th.
ShelterBox Canada Executive Director Lisa Salapatek is available for interviews. High resolution images from Niger and b-roll footage about ShelterBox are available to the media.
ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity to thousands of people in response to more than 180 disasters in over 75 countries since 2000. When families lose their homes due to natural or manmade disaster, ShelterBox delivers boxes of aid containing emergency shelter and life-saving equipment to help families survive the immediate aftermath and begin to rebuild their lives. ShelterBox Canada is part of the global ShelterBox network and a Rotary International Project Partner. Charitable Registration #84628 3208 RR0001.
SOURCE: ShelterBox Canada
Lisa Salapatek
Executive Director, ShelterBox Canada
office: 647-352-1930
mobile: 416-918-2145
[email protected]
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