Shelter Box Arrives!
Posted by Kammi Foote
on Sep 15, 2011
The ShelterBox purchased by Rotary Club of Bishop Sunrise was delivered to Kenya
Rotarian support currently contributes an estimated 50% of ShelterBox donations. Around 5,000 rotary clubs worldwide have supported ShelterBox since it was launched.
ShelterBox 16160 that was purchased by the Rotary Club of Bishop Sunrise was delivered to Kenya earlier this year. Accorrding to the USAAID Disaster Assistance website, on January 28, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the effects of a drought. Priority needs included water, food security, and livelihoods assistance.
TheUSAAID Disaster website futher described the disaster as "Following unfavorable October to December 2010 short rains, food security among pastoralists in northern Kenya and rain-dependent marginal agricultural areas has sharply deteriorated. Most affected districts include Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir in North Eastern Province ; Isiolo and Marsabit in Eastern Province; and Tana River in Coast Province. A severe shortage of grazing resources, particularly water, has resulted in abnormal migrations, whereby pastoralists travel long distances and group livestock in areas of limited remaining pasture and water. Humanitarian partners report that livestock prices have fallen and body conditions have deteriorated markedly, with milk production declining significantly for the majority of affected households. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, USAID/OFDA, and USAID/Kenya Agriculture, Business and Environment Office staff conducted assessments of drought-affected areas from January 12 through 28, finding almost complete failure of the maize crop in assessed areas. In addition, assessment results in pastoral areas further confirmed the need for humanitarian assistance to mitigate the effects of failed rain on food security and livelihoods."