Disaster Aid Canada is new identity for Shelterbox
What will change?
1.ShelterBox Canada will now operate as Disaster Aid Canada
2.Disaster Aid Canada will no longer use the ShelterBox Trust in the UK as its provider of equipment.
3.Disaster Aid Canada will purchase equipment for deployment in disaster areas from a new North American supplier. This equipment meets SPHERE and UN international standards for disaster relief, and is 40% less expensive than the equipment we have been buying from the UK.
4.Disaster Aid Canada will be run by Canadians with decisions made in the interests of Canadian donors.
What will stay the same?
1.The makeup of the Board and Administration will be unchanged
2.The Canada Revenue Agency registration number will remain the same as will our ability to provide tax receipts for donors
3.Disaster Aid Canada will retain strong ties to the Rotary organisation -a more positive relationship with Rotary International is a must
4.Boxes will still be numbered and tracked, providing donors with reassurance that their money is being used as it was intended, but Canada will number its own boxes
5.Disaster Aid Canada will keep three things firmly in mind as it moves forward
a.The provision of high quality, internationally approved shelter and survival equipment to victims of disaster worldwide
b.A commitment to Canadian donors to give them the best value for their donations
c.Its strong Rotary roots
Why were these changes necessary?
1.After extensive research into the worldwide availability of shelter equipment, several ShelterBox affiliates came to the conclusion that purchasing most of the raw materials in China, then sending them to Cornwall to be assembled actually makes little sense, especially when a large proportion of that aid travels to the east again.
2.It was discovered that SPHERE compliant equipment was available for a lower price which did not have the added expense of warehousing in UK.
3.It was deemed unethical for these affiliates to continue to purchase from ShelterBox Trust when much higher quality equipment could be deployed to help people for 40% less money.
What will this mean for me as a donor?
1.You will still be able to donate to help victims of disaster either on line, by cheque or by credit card. Our on line donations will continue to be handled by Canada Helps, accessible by clicking the DONATE NOW button on our revamped website, www.disasteraid.ca .
Cheques can be made payable to "Disaster Aid Canada" and mailed to the same address as before: 1272 Mysty Woods, Victoria, BC V8Y 3G6. If you wish to use a credit card, you can still call 1 800 677 0990.
2.We hope you will continue to support Disaster Aid. Our "Ambassadors", who have worked with many of you throughout Canada, will be provided with updated materials with the new name and philosophy, as well as explanatory AV material for presentations to clubs, etc. Please be assured that Disaster Aid Canada is providing responsible stewardship for your dollars and internationally approved equipment for victims.
3.Disaster Aid Canada will set up a training program and will actively recruit more Canadian Response Team Members to deploy Canadian kits. We will use the acronym DART to represent these teams -Disaster Aid Response Teams.
4.We need your help more than ever before to ensure that Canada takes its rightful place in the forefront of global disaster relief.
5.Previous donations have all been forwarded to ShelterBox UK.
We intend to keep all stakeholders fully informed. Please call me at 1 800 677 0990 if you have immediate questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Don Ohlgren
Executive Director
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