In August/September 2017, efforts by Aussie Aid Abroad and the Rotary Club of Lumbini Siddharthanagar in southern Nepal to import Aquaboxes to support flood victims in Nepal and northern India were unsuccessful due to customs restrictions imposed by the Nepalese government. To overcome similar issues in future, an initiative has been launched to establish further relationships with Rotary clubs and other NGOs in key regions, to ensure that Aquaboxes can be readily supplied in the event of a disaster. This may include the facility to pre-position Aquaboxes in these areas. Initial regions to be targeted are Cebu in the Philippines and Kolkata (Calcutta) in northern India.
In late October 2017, the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh shipped over 90 pre-positioned Aquaboxes to aid flood victims in Banteay Meanchey Province, north-west Cambodia. A further 120 'Family' boxes will be shipped to the club in May 2018, to be on hand prior to the next rainy season.
There are currently 158 'Family' Aquaboxes stored at the Aquabox Shed, ready for immediate dispatch in the event of a disaster, with a further 60 'Family' and 24 '30' boxes to be prepared on a packing day planned for 3 December '17.
