Contact has been made with the Rotary clubs of Mandalay and Yangon who are involved in preparing disaster relief plans in their immediate region.
Our partners in the region have responded and we have offered to provide a large consignment of family and community filters that could potentially provide safe water for up to 18,000 people.
The next priority was to establish a secure supply route into the disaster zone.
Logistics is a major challenge since the Myanmar government is only allowing flights from Russia and China to land in the country. The UN is trying to resolve this situation.
However, we are pleased to say we have secured a route into Myanmar via Thailand. Working with DA (/Disaster Aid Thailand) and the Rotary Club Bangkok, we are sending a shipment of 900 family filters and 20 community filters, which is enough to provide clean, safe drinking water for 18,000 people.
This first shipment will go in the next few days by air freight. The filters will then travel by road to Yangon and Mandalay with the coordination of Rotary Clubs of Yangon and Mandalay.
Separately we have been approached by our Nottingham based partner, Operation Orphan whose mission is to work through government agencies and NGO’s to support children who have lost their parents and provide them with safe havens and support in the aftermath of disaster. Following the request for support from the Myanmar Government, Operation Orphan have been in contact with the relevant children’s and Social welfare department government in Myanmar to offer to send a team to the country. Aquabox have agreed to support Operation Orphan through the provision of Water filters, if they are able to send a team to Myanmar.
This is a fast developing situation and we will endeavour to provide updates through the Aquabox Website.
The above photos have been supplied by Rotary Action Group in Myanmar.