Survivorman and ShelterBox Canada Executive Director return with ShelterBox team to Ecuador
On October 17th ShelterBox Canada Executive Director, Stephanie Christensen, and Survivorman, Les Stroud, will be part of a ShelterBox Response Team returning to Ecuador.
ShelterBox responded in the country following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the coast of Ecuador in the province of Esmeraldas on April 16th. It was reported that 654 people were killed and over 12,500 were injured from the earthquake and aftershocks. ShelterBox partnered with local organization, PROGAD, and Habitat for Humanity to deliver and distribute essential aid to 2,580 affected households.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, ShelterBox was able to provide water filtration equipment and water carriers for families to make polluted or dirty water potable, ShelterKits containing tools and waterproofing to repair damaged homes or to create basic shelters, as well as mosquito nets, cooking equipment and all-important solar lighting.
ShelterBox Returns
Hundreds of aftershocks have hit the area following the initial quake, further impacting structures that were originally thought to be safe. ShelterBox is returning to provide additional aid to families whose homes have been damaged by the aftershocks, as well as to meet with families who were initially helped during our previous response earlier in 2016.
ShelterBox is constantly evolving as an organization, especially when it comes to providing the best aid possible to families affected by natural disasters or conflict. We test and evaluate all of the aid we provide by talking to, and learning from, the families who use it. The ShelterBox team with Les and Stephanie will be learning from families in Ecuador who already received ShelterBox aid to see how we have helped them previously and how we can help them now.
ShelterBox Canada Celebrity Ambassador
In February 2013, ShelterBox proudly welcomed Survivorman Les Stroud as a celebrity ambassador to raise awareness for families living in the aftermath of disaster. In spring of 2016, Les traveled to ShelterBox headquarters in Cornwall, Helston in the UK to participate in the Understanding ShelterBox Operations course to better understand how ShelterBox works, and how we deliver aid to those in need.
Updates from the field
Stephanie and Les will be providing updates from the ground in Ecuador, communications allowing. For updates, stay posted on our blog and our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for live updates from the ShelterBox team.
