Rotary Emergency Box Schemes

These Emergency Box schemes have been developed to help those who have lost everything due to natural and man made disasters.  Visit their websites for the latest information on which countries they are currently supporting, often with the help of partners organisations who are able to help deliver the aid.   These three charities are supported by Rotary Clubs in Cumbria and Lancashire, and have developed project partnerships with the wider Rotary organisation.

Aquabox was originally established in 1992 by the Wirksworth Rotary Club, and is a registered charity and limited company.   It provides safe drinking water and humanitarian aid and more than 125,000 Aqua-aid humanitarian aid boxes have been provided to countries around the world helping hundreds of thousands of people in times of crisis.

Each Aqua-aid box contains a family filter, plus a range of items such as tools, lighting, survival aids, cooking equipment, eating and drinking, educational aids and hygiene provisions.   A single Aquabox family filter can convert up to half a million litres of polluted water into safe, clean water and gives hope to people.

Shipments in 2025 include to Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar and Nepal.  Aquabox website

ShelterBox began in 2000 as a millennium project of Helston-Lizard Rotary.  They are now a registered charity and limited company and have expanded to provide  emergency shelter and essential household items.  The aid will vary depending upon the situation and can include family-sized tents, heavy duty tarpaulins, ropes and nails that can patch-up damaged buildings.  Other items can include essential items such as water filters, mosquito nets, and cooking sets to help people survive. 

Over recent years aid has been delivered into Gaza, Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar and Mozambique.  They have a financial appeal for Gazi.  Shelterbox website

Water Survival Box  is the initiative of the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge, England. Its primary purpose is to provide a means of purifying water.   It was developed out of work undertaken at the time of the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and a charitable trust in the form of a limited company was established in 2006.

The Survival Boxes include items relating to health, hygiene, shelter, survival and general household items, a water filter and pump.  The shelter and survival items include a variety of tools, rope and tarpaulin. General household items include sewing kits, basic first aid, personal washing items, stationery and female hygiene. 

September 2025 shipments include to Ukraine and Honduras.  Water survival box website

Visit the Rotary in Great Britian & Ireland for details of other charities who provide aid to disasters around the world.  Rotary GB&I Emergency Response Charities webpage.