Smart Aid describes the Disaster Aid Australia approach to aid delivery which is:
- Finding out what the affected communities actually need by consultation.
- Looking to purchase aid materials as close to the disaster response.
- Assisting the community so they become an important resource in the reponse.
This approach aligns with the Rotary principle of ‘Giving a Hand Up; Not a Hand Out‘ and makes the community feel part of the response not just a recipient.
Our method of working is further explained at the following link ‘How We Deliver Smart Aid‘
Our experience has been that clean water and shelter are the most common aid requests, but we we always respond to the communities expressed need which can take many different forms.
Safe Drinking Water
We have found the vast majority of humanitarian disasters result in unsafe dirty water.
As part of our Smart Aid response to disasters we can provide SkyHydrant™water filter units to communities, and displaced persons camps.
Each of our SkyHydrant GEM Rapid Response Packs can be set up in around 2 hours and then immediately remove all bacteria from 5,000 litres of water a day.
Shelter
Providing materials and advice for the erection of :
- Short Term Emergency Shelter;
- Medium Term Transitional Shelter;
- Long Term Permanent Homes.
Helping Smaller Communities
As a smaller charity we concentrate on helping villages rather than cities and large towns because:
- Small communities can miss out, as the large aid agencies concentrate on the cities and large towns.
- In a village our help can make a large difference to each member of the community.
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Aid Australia is also willing to help local communities to become more resilient and provide equipment and facilitating training to:
- Government and Non Government Bodies
- Community Groups
- Rotary Clubs