A North Central Iowa grain bin manufacturer that sent 64 of its metal structures to Haiti for shelters following the earthquake there in 2010 is preparing to lend a hand again to typhoon victims in the Philippines. Sukup Manufacturing board chair, Eugene Sukup, says they keep containers with the metal structures on hand for emergencies.
“A container would be a 20-foot container that would hold ten homes with lofts in them, ready to ship, all the tools they need,” Sukup says.
He says they don’t need electricity as they can put a solar light in em. Sukup says one of the most important features is a door with a lock so survivors can secure the few possessions they have. He says a collaboration of several groups helps navigate the paperwork. “We sent a container into Ghana — there was 36-thousand-dollars worth of taxes to get ten homes off the ships and into the towns in Ghana where they were going to be used,” he says.
Sukup says they just recently sent a container to Peru, and can get them out quickly. “We’re ready to send on two weeks notice, we could ship,” Sukup explains. He says they are ready to send out the metal homes to the Philippines whenever they get the go ahead.
The company is joined in the effort by the Global Compassion Network, Lutheran Missouri Synod and the Army Reserve. The shipment to the Philippines is expected to deploy within the next week or two.