MANILA, Philippines — A third of the Manila Bulletin’s front page last January 4 Wednesday carried a picture of a tent city for the displaced victims of tropical storm “Sendong” (international name “Washi”).  These tents came from ShelterBox International, one of the leading disaster aid agencies in the world, providing immediate shelter, warmth, comfort, and dignity to millions of disaster victims, through its local affiliate, Shelterbox (SB) Philippines which was launched last November 13, 2010, with ShelterBox founder and CEO Tom Henderson (not Bob Aitkens as erroneously indicated in a previous column).

As of January 3, 2012, 489 boxes had been distributed in the city of Cagayan de Oro and in Iligan City.  On the ground are ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Jose Ongkiko, Abner Tayco, Arnold Kelly from New Zealand and SB Philippines Affiliate founder Rotary Past District Governor Jess Nicdao, who continue to assess the need for emergency shelter and distribute boxes with help from the Philippine Air Force, Navy, Marines, local governments, and local Rotarians led by D3870 District Governor Sam Fontanilla supported by PDG Rhia Abalos and PDG Bing Juarez. More boxes and midi tents are expected to arrive shortly to provide shelter and comfort to the victims.

PDG Jess credits the support of Rotarians – “the assistance we have had from Rotary has been invaluable here.  It is possible for Abner and me to set up the tents ourselves but it would have been a much slower process. Now that we have shown the Rotarians how to do it, they will be able to help us set up camps rapidly.  This will allow families who have lost everything to soon begin to rebuild their lives, offering them shelter, warmth, and dignity – assets everyone should have so close to Christmas.”

A ShelterBox report quotes two beneficiaries.  Seventy-two-year-old Anita Relejos of Iligan survived with her 34-year-old son Danilo and her grandchildren are now living in a ShelterBox tent, “…my husband Antonio went back to get some of our belongings and never returned.  My son also lost his wife.  Although we are mourning, at least we are safe now, thanks to ShelterBox.”  Lenida also lost her husband and is living in a ShelterBox camp in Cagayan de Oro, “Our house went down like a deck of cards…We all held onto a trunk that saved us.  We want to thank ShelterBox for giving us a new home.”

They join other beneficiaries of ShelterBox.  As far back as Typhoon Kiko in April 2009, then Typhoons Ondoy and Peping, ShelterBox has brought in over 1,600 boxes worth nearly R56 million and distributed in the towns of Pangasinan, Laguna, Rizal, Benguet, La Union, Arayat in Pampanga, and in Marikina, Antipolo, San Mateo, and Cainta.  When Typhoon Juaning struck Bicol, boxes were set up in the municipalities of Polangui and Ligao and in October with Typhoons Nesat and Nalgae, boxes were deployed in Isabela and in Bulacan.

The ability to help the disaster victims has been enhanced with ShelterBox Philippines and a Filipino SRT.  As PDG Jess expressed in a meeting with incoming Rotary district governors that I arranged three years ago, “Since we do not have a Philippine affiliate and SRT, we had to request SRTs every time there is a need…Although their response is within 48 hours, most of the time, the need for the boxes is immediate.  There is also a problem with security for foreign SRTs. “

I am inspired by the splendid service of Rotarians through ShelterBox Philippines. More can be done if there is more support for their selfless service.  District 3790 Governor Digna Ragasa and PP Sean Vera Cruz are organizing a fundraising activity, “Bike for Shelterbox,” on January 11-14, 2012, for more ShelterBoxes and tents and raise awareness for ShelterBox.  I have given my support. I hope you all will do and contact PP Sean at 0917-581-0521.

Business Bits. Upon a donation of a box (US $1,000), a number will be given to you and you can track where the box was deployed when you log on to www.shelterbox.org.