Shelter boxes only for family units – Rotary

Local Rotary Clubs yesterday made it clear that residents without access to potable water and proper sanitation facilities will not qualify for shelter boxes.

The nonprofit organisation stated that only relatively sizable families will be eligible to receive these temporary houses.

“It cannot be for an individual and that’s simply because the tents are designed to fit anywhere from four to six people,” said Rotary’s Operations and Logistics Coordinator, Joseph Ryan.

“The other criteria is that the shelter boxes will have to be near the homes not on top of the foundation of the homes but near the homes to encourage people to get up in the morning and cleanup the debris from around the house, or reconstruct your house, or be near your possessions at night,” the Rotarian added.

He further noted that families must have at least a ‘clear site’ for the boxes to be deployed.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Ryan explained that shelter boxes are in limited supply.

He said islands such as Tortola and Virgin Gorda will not receive as many shelter boxes as Jost Van Dyke, which received 23.

“Jost Van Dyke provided for a reasonably easy deployment of the shelter boxes because of its landscape and its terrain. The islands such as Virgin Gorda and Tortola are a bit more densely populated and don’t allow for such a huge deployment.”

“But what we are doing in Tortola especially and Virgin Gorda now are doing individualized assessment to see where shelter boxes can be applicable for families three and upwards… So you may not see any mass deployment of 23 in any one area. But, throughout various Districts, you may see two or three or here and there across Tortola and Virgin Gorda; which is what we plan to do with the remaining shelter boxes.”

Rotary provided and installed the first shelter box in the territory last Friday, October 13.