Industrial Goodies

Do you want to know how a simple taping machine can go a long, long way? Donating a taping machine to the UNHCR can help them pack and provide relief assistance to their response efforts for refugees. On-ground volunteers are valuable and necessary to the operations of UNHCR; however, the steady stream of volunteers needed to facilitate the quick processing of relief goods to distressed and displaced people, is not an easy resource. If you have a desire to help the agency but are unable to physically volunteer or you have convictions regarding donating in cash; providing material donations—such as a taping machine—is an equally relevant contribution.

An excellent taping machine to consider for the purposes of providing aid to UNHCR operations is the Bestpack MSD 6" Series Semi-Automatic Uniform Tape Carton Sealer. This taping machine is operator-fed so volunteers can still have a hands-on experience and can monitor the packing of goods. This taping machine is perfect for UNHCR purposes because it has features for tamper protection since pilferage is an issue when transporting relief goods to affected areas.

UNHCR is the UN agency for refugees, formally known as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They protect and assist refugees—people who are forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution, and natural disasters—in more than 100 countries worldwide. Refugees are provided food, shelter, water, medical attention, sanitation and security, while the agency finds ways to find more permanent solutions to reestablish them.

The agency is non-political and is unbiased in the help it extends to refugees—regardless of race, religion, political opinion or gender—focusing on their humanitarian needs and rights, especially those of women and children.

UNHCR is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, with 93 percent coming from governments. A further 4 percent comes from inter-governmental organizations and pooled funding mechanisms, while the remaining 3 percent is from the private sector, including foundations, corporations and the general public. In addition, the agency receives a limited subsidy from the UN regular budget for administrative costs, and accepts so called "in-kind" contributions, including relief items such as tents, medicines, trucks and air transport.