The Rotary backed charity Aquabox was today (Thursday) flying out much needed aid to the flood-devastated Indian region of Kerala.
Nearly 400 people have died and thousands remain stranded by the worst flooding seen in a century in the south-west Indian state, which backs onto the Arabian Sea.
More than one million people have been displaced, many of them taking shelter in thousands of relief camps across Kerala.
As the monsoon rains begin to ease, efforts are now being stepped up to get relief supplies to isolated areas.
These floods in Kerala state and the surrounding ares are some of the worst in India’s history.”
Aquabox, the Derbyshire based community project set up and managed by Rotary members, has responded to the need for providing safe drinking water by sending filtration units to India.
Working with Rotary clubs in Kerala, they are flying out 240 family filters and 10 community filters.
Designed for use to secure safe drinking facilities, the community filters can deliver six litres per minute and over one million litres of clean water over its working life.
The family filter can deliver one litre per minute and is fastened to a container of water, such as the Aquabox or a bucket, and using a simple hand-pump, safe drinking water is dispensed to a cup.
Trustee Roz Adamson, a member of Bakewell Rotary, said that the charity is hoping the filters will arrive at Bangalore Airport either late on Thursday evening or early on Friday.
From Bangalore, the Aquafilters will be transported by road to Mangalore and then distributed to the relief camps and other key areas in the devastated zones.
At Aquabox, we pride ourselves on finding secure, rapid logistics solutions and overcoming local difficulties in order to deliver much needed aid.”
“We are grateful to our Rotary colleagues in Southern India for their valuable assistance with this,” said Roz.
“These floods in Kerala state and the surrounding ares are some of the worst in India’s history.
“Airports, rail and road routes have been seriously affected making aid distribution extremely challenging.
“At Aquabox, we pride ourselves on finding secure, rapid logistics solutions and overcoming local difficulties in order to deliver much needed aid.”
Roz revealed that the Indian Government’s Ministry of Finance has issued a notification, that subject to very tight conditions, humanitarian aid for the flood affected areas will not be subject to import tax.
This will remain in place until December 2018 and is an assurance against abuse of the donated aid.
She added: “Aquabox is continuing to work with local Keralan Rotary groups and examining the possibility of sending Aquabox Gold boxes, which contain a wide variety of humanitarian aid items.
“Our work in providing this emergency aid places enormous demand on our funds.
“We rely totally on donations to allow our work to continue. If you feel able to support us, details on how to donate can be found on our website.”
To find out more about Aquabox, visit: www.aquabox.org
Taken on Monday 20th August 2018, the extreme floods
Rotary Donations Trust India Flood Appeal
The Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Donations Trust has launched an appeal for the Kerala Floods in India.
The Donations Trust is a registered charity, established in 2007, which collates donations and makes grants to Rotary projects working to rebuild communities in the long term, rather than acting as a first responder.
You can make donations to the India Flood appeal using our online payment option through BT myDonate.
Alternative, you can send a cheque payable to Rotary In Great Britain and Ireland Donations Trust to Kinwarton Road, Alcester, B49 6PB.
Typical projects include constructing and equipping school and community centres, rebuilding infrastructure or providing rescue vehicles.
