When disaster such as a tsunami or cyclone strikes in the Pacific, families can lose everything. They need help immediately. In a few short minutes, an earthquake, tsunami, flood or cyclone can take away whole villages - loved ones, homes, belongings, crops and animals, livelihoods. You can assist in a practical way by helping New Zealand Rotarians supply distressed and displaced families with Emergency Response Kits (ERKs).
In an emergency, the most pressing need is for basic supplies to help a family survive the first few days. They need shelter, food, clothing, drinking water, bedding, tools, and medical supplies. People can be difficult to reach therefore Kits must be light enough to be airlifted and carried by two people. No time must be lost so Kits are kept in safe storage close to where they’re likely to be needed.
Each Kit holds over 60 items packed in a 78-litre container which can be used to treat drinking water – there are purifying tablets for this purpose. With a little ingenuity, families can create a shelter from tarpaulins using the hammer and nails provided. There’s a folding shovel for digging trenches. Food is key so there’s fishing gear, a hunting knife, and cooking equipment. As well as basic clothing, there are bed covers for warmth. Maintaining hygiene and treating minor injuries is important too; a medical pack with items such as soap, painkillers and antiseptic cream provides the basics.
A complete ERK costs $600 but every dollar helps towards assembling the Kits with their life-saving contents and having them airfreighted. Thank you for your contribution.
An ERK's brochure can be downloaded HERE.
Donate by internet banking to account no:
03 1702 0192208 01
Place your name or Rotary club’s name in the transaction reference field.
To pay by cheque make payable to:
RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand)
P O Box 20 309
Christchurch 8543
Note: RNZWCS Limited is a Registered Charity (CC26860). Donations for Emergency Response Kits are tax deductible.
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District 9930 ERK Coordinator
Lynne Joseph
(Rotorua Sunrise)
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RNZWCS Ltd Director
PDG Stuart Batty
(Papanui, Christchurch)
PO Box 20309, Bishopdale
Christchurch 8543