VANUATU CYCLONE: ShelterBox teams with Minnesota students to deliver help
Here in Minnesota, it could be easy to ignore the need to rebuild an obscure tropical island chain 7,400 miles away. But after 90 percent of the buildings in some areas of the country's 80 islands were wiped off the map by Cyclone Pam, a local man named Greg Krauska is doing what he can to help survivors.
"The word we're getting is that this is one of the most devastating disasters a country has faced," Krauska said. "Even though it's small, the percentage of buildings and homes affected is just absolutely astronomical."
Krauska is an ambassador for ShelterBox, an international charity that sends boxes full of supplies to disaster zones.
"Inside is the basic essentials people need to get back on their feet following a natural disaster," he said.
The boxes include blankets and tents -- a shelter with all of the living supplies a family would need.
"Here's one of those things you can do that has direct tangible effect on families probably when they need it most," Krauska said. "You can't imagine a tougher situation for people when they've virtually lot everything."
Each box costs $1,000, so Shelter Box is partnering with the Rotary Club and students to match donations. Krista Kronlokken is helping to organize a Donuts for Disasters fundraiser at Eden Prairie High School next month.
"It's inspiring to me," she says. "What they do and how they act, so it's kind of something for me to give back to them."
If you'd like to contribute to Shelter Box, click here.