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Disaster response kits

Once a major disaster strikes, anywhere in the world, it is too late to begin preparing the help urgently needed. Lives can be lost by the day. Crossroads’ volunteers prepare field kitchen kits and hygiene kits, to United Nations standards, to send the right help in the right time. We need hundreds!

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Water Purification tablets: Following a disaster, many, if not all, drinkable water sources are contaminated. This affects not just those drinking water, but those using powdered milk mixed with water, cooking, washing, etc. For this reason, water purification tablets are in great demand.

Mosquito repellent: With so much stagnant water malaria is spreading rapidly

Hygiene Kits: for 6 persons, all items should be new and placed in a small red/white/blue striped bag.  Please indicate female-specific bags with a pink sticker   

  • 6 x toothbrushes
  • 2 x large tubes of toothpaste
  • 4 x bars of soap
  • 6 x face cloths
  • 2 x bottles of shampoo
  • 6 x small towels
  • 2 x disposable razors   
  • 1 x packet washing detergent (biodegradable, if possible).
  • 1 x packet feminine sanitary napkins


Cleaning Kits: for 6 persons, all items should be new and placed in a small red/white/blue striped bag. 

  • 1 x plastic bucket/ tub
  • 3 x pairs rubber gloves
  • 5 x face masks
  • 1 x bottle household Dettol
  • 1 x pack garbage bags
  • 1 x packet scrubbing pads


Kitchen Kits: for 6 persons, all items should be new and placed in a small red/white/blue striped bag. 

  • 1 x durable small cooking pot with well fitting lid
  • 1 x plastic basin / tub
  • 1 x metal kitchen knife
  • 2 x wooden spoons
  • 6 x plastic eating plates
  • 6 x metal spoons
  • 6 x plastic mugs
  • 1 x box mosquito coils
  • 1 x can opener
  • 6 x candles (10-15 cms long)


First Aid Kits: Complete sets, such as sold in local stores.

-OR-
Place the any of the following items into a large ‘Zip Loc’ (clip-seal) plastic bag:

  • 1 x packet of individually wrapped sterile plasters
  • 2 x bandages
  • 3 x sterile gauze packets (individually wrapped, non-medicated wound dressings)
  • 1 x triangular bandage
  • 1 x adhesive tape
  • 1 x package safety pins
  • 1 x scissors
  • 1 x tweezers – stainless steel
  • 2 x pairs disposable gloves


The following basic medication MUST BE NEW and in original packaging:

  • Savlon (or any antiseptic solution)
  • Antiseptic/ antibacterial cream
  • Burn Ointment
  • Calamine Lotion (an anti-itch cream)
  • Eye wash solution


SHORT TERM NEEDS

Temporary Shelter Supplies:
(in good condition)

  • Tents (all parts included and secured)
  • Blankets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Sleeping mats
  • Torches/flashlights (incl. 4 sets of batteries)
  • Plastic sheeting (New)


Food:
(Expiry date must be at least 1 year from date of purchase.)

  • Canned food
  • Can openers (1 per 10 cans)
  • Dried packets foods/soups (vegetable and chicken)
  • Cans of biscuits (NOT milk-type biscuits)


MID TO LONG TERM NEEDS

Back to School Kits: (Individual Packages)
Place the following items in a large ‘Zip-Loc’ (clip-seal) plastic bag:

  • 3 x pencils
  • 3 x pens
  • 1 x pencil sharpener
  • 1 x eraser
  • 1 x ruler
  • 3 x exercise books
  • 1 x glue stick
  • 1 x set of colour pens/pencils/crayons


(Optional: school bags in good condition)

Construction and Livelihood Materials:

  • Bulk supplies are needed of any of the following listed items:
  • Small hand tools for construction (i.e. hammers, saws, pliers, drills, screwdrivers, etc.)
  • Plywood sheets
  • Corrugated iron sheets
  • Corrugated fiberglass/plastic roofing
  • Nails/screws
  • Electrical cabling
  • Tarpaulins/plastic sheeting
  • Pressure washers to clean mud-caked homes
  • Two burner stoves and propane tanks for ‘mini-kitchens’


Other ‘Restarting Supplies’:

  • Basic Stationery (separated into categories: notebooks and binders; art supplies; writing tools; miscellaneous [including staplers, scissors, hole punches, etc] all in good condition please)
  • Sports Equipment (variety of sports equipment as well as pumps for ball maintenance for schools and youth)
  • Basic Library ‘Kits’ (various children’s books in good condition to restock damaged school libraries)


WE ARE ADVISED WE ARE UNABLE TO SEND

  • Second Hand clothing
  • Medication (except basic medication specified in First Aid Kits – see above)
  • Milk products (formula and powdered milk)

Are you ready to donate goods? Click here.

Do you still have questions? Click here.

If you would like to donate money for us to purchase these supplies and to support our partners please click here.  Please designate your donation for "Disaster relief fund".  Thank you

 

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