Aquaboxes

AQUABOX is an official project of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and Rotary International District 1220, managed the Rotary Club of Wirksworth in Derbyshire.

The Project Goal is to provide in the wake of both man made and natural disasters a rapid response provision of safe drinking water and welfare aid items.

Rotary Service Type: Involves either funding, organized collection or a combination of both provides an inexpensive ( under 1p per litre ) easily transported and simple to operate method of restoring safe drinking water thus helping to minimize the outbreak of disease.

The scheme is operated entirely by unpaid volunteers. With the exception of warehousing, promotional and communications costs and annual professional charges, it has no overheads.

In a disaster the lack of, or disruption to, a safe water supply or sanitation creates an ideal breeding-ground for water-borne disease. Cholera and typhoid are the most virulent of these but they are not the whole story. Often the problem can be a simple infection causing diarrhoea and leading to dehydration, particularly in the very young.

Water-Aid, a charity committed to the provision of long-term water supplies, estimates that 25,000 children die every day from the effects of drinking polluted water. Aquabox can play a vital part in minimising the after effects of disaster.

The Rotary Club of Westhill & District has over the past years tried to provide funds for the provision of FOUR Aquaboxes per year. In the past these were filled by local organisations, schools and churches, businesses and individuals. With the change to the operating system the club still provides funds for the boxes but the contents are now provided by the charity.

Your support to the club or directly to WaterAid is much appreciated