Making a difference through clean water

Last weekend, as details of the disastrous flooding in Pakistan started to become clear, members of the board of Trustees met Ravi Singh, CEO of Khalsa Aid International (KAI), a long time partner of WSB-UK. KAI have a team already operating in the country providing humanitarian relief. It was agreed that we would supply an initial consignment of 200 standard WSBs for distribution to families that had lost everything and were without safe drinking water.

We have also been in touch with partner NGO, International Medical Corps, but they do not at this time have a team operating on the ground there. We anticipate that they will be seeking urgent authorisation from the Pakistani authorities so that they can also assist.

On the last occasion that Pakistan suffered such a calamity over several months we were able to send over 1300 boxes thanks to the generous supportof our followers.

We also plan to contact Dr Aziz Hafiz, CEO of Humanity First International to see if they might also partner with us.

Allowing for supply-chain issues which have been aggravated by the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis we would plan on sending further consignments for distribution by competent partner NGOs – the  immediate target would be a further 500 boxes.

All of the above means that funds are really needed to replenish stocks so thatwe can add more boxes to our consignments.

Our first response to the unfolding conflict came via our landpords Parker Transport who through the Pallet Network arranged for 2 pallets of toothpaste and toothbrushes to be taken to Poland. That was some 9000 of each in total.The next despatch was via a Rotary arranged lorry from Bridgwater Rotary Club which contained a huge variety of aid. Our contribution was a further two pallets of Toothpaste and tooth brushes as well as 670 solar lamps. This consignment was successfully delivered to Rotarian in Lviv.

Our good friends Water Survival Box Switzerland were delighted to provide funds for 150 Grifaid filters in Multipack format to contacts in Slovakia for onward transmission to Ukraine. These left our depot in mid-June and were delivered 10 days later in Lviv.Since then we have been in discussion with Rotarians in Lviv for further aid.

The particular need remains for clean water so we agreed to send further boxes containing Grifaid Family Filters only and water containers.  We sourced 300 filters and spoke with Aquabox whoagreed to provide a further 300 Grifaid Family Filters and 20 Community Filters. A great example of team work by the two Rotary charities.  We now await transport for this consignment.

Last week 200 full Water Survival Boxes were collected for International Medical Corps and are on their way to Kyiv hopefully to be utilised in Odesa we believe.

Aside from all this activity supporting Ukraine we have sent 400 full Water Survival Boxes to South Africa following extensive flooding in Kwa Zulu Natal with the loss of 40000 homes. These are to be distributed by Rotary clubs in the district.Aside from all this activity supporting Ukraine we have sent 400 full Water Survival Boxes to South Africa following extensive flooding in Kwa Zulu Natal with the loss of 40000 homes. These are to be distributed by local Rotary clubs in the district.

We will of course need to replace this stock and all donations are welcome. 

Links:

• Water Survival Box website