Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland

Whenever disaster strikes, Rotary responds quickly. To keep helping people in need, funds are continually required to build supplies of Rotary relief boxes, including Water Survival Box, Aquabox, ShelterBox and Disaster Aid UK. Full details of these and many more box projects can be found on the Box Projects page along with contact information.

This ability to respond rapidly is part of what makes Rotary a valued and trusted organisation. Every penny donated to a Rotary club will go to the stated cause. Thanks to the global network of Rotary clubs and wealth of expertise, life-saving supplies can be distributed right to the heart of recovery operations.

Read on and find out where Rotary has been in action.

Turkey Earthquake - October 2011

ShelterBox responded to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck southeast Turkey, with the epicentre at the village of Tabanli, 20 kilometres north of Van city. Hundreds of lives were lost and thousands of homes severely damaged. ShelterBox worked with the Turkish Red Crescent Society and other local contacts.

East Africa famine

Food aid to help children and families in East Africa was sent to Somalia. Mary’s Meals teamed up with the African relief agency Gift of the Givers to provide around 900,000 meals for those affected by the famine in Somalia.

Pakistan Floods - September 2011

Heavy monsoon rains caused major flooding in Pakistan where hundreds of people died and homes were damaged or destroyed. Two million people suffered from flood-related diseases following the torrential rain, including malaria and diarrhoea. Thousands were treated for snake bites. Many of those caught up in the emergency were still trying to re-establish their lives after the previous year's terrible flooding. With the help of the National Rural Support Programme (NSRP), over 3,000 ShelterBoxes were deployed. Water Survival Box also sent boxes.

Horn of Africa - July 2011

In response to the humanitarian crisis in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, The Rotary Foundation established the Rotary Horn of Africa Famine and Refugee Relief Fund, to support recovery projects. The worst drought in 60 years gripped the Horn of Africa, leading to acute famine in parts of Somalia, where hundreds of thousands of people fled to Ethiopia and Kenya for aid. An international committee of Rotarians, close to the situation, will oversee the fund. They will identify the needs of the affected communities, manage the distribution of funds, oversee project implementation, report on projects and ensure proper stewardship. Rotary clubs and Rotarians can send a cheque payable to RFUK, including a note indicating this is for Rotary Horn of Africa Famine and Refugee Relief Fund, to:

The Rotary Foundation of the United Kingdom
Kinwarton Road
Alcester
Warwickshire
B49 6PB

The fund will close to contributions 30th June 2012.

Cash contributions designated for the Rotary Horn of Africa Famine and Refugee Relief Fund are eligible for Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor recognition. Donations will count toward club and district total contribution goals; however, they will not count toward Annual Programmes Fund goals. Rotary districts may contribute District Designated Fund allocations.

Lifestraw sent 3000 personal and 1000 family units which were distributed in a centre in Kenya. Rotarians also responded by donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Shelterbox and Water Survival Box also responded.

Flooding in Columbia - April 2011

Torrential rain exceeded all the records of the last one hundred years and caused major damage.The situation forced the authorities to declare both a national disaster and a social and economic emergency. Columbian Rotarians requested help as they tried to assist the hundreds of schools, health centres, and homes for the elderly and orphans which were damaged or destroyed. Many of these were originally equipped and furnished by Rotarians.

1,600 ShelterBoxes were distributed to families and worked with the Colombian authorities to bring emergency aid to the affected areas. Water Survival Box made contact with the Rotary Club of Cartagena and sent a consignment of boxes standard Water-Survival Boxes.

Japan Earthquake - March 2011

Thousands perished and hundres of thousands were left homeless following the earthquake, which measured 8.9 on the Richter scale, and tsunami. Life-saving emergency response boxes were sent out within days. The ShelterBox Response Team worked with the British Embassy, British military personnel and the US military to overcome the logistical challenges they are facing. Water Survival Boxes were sent out to help families who were left homeless, without household possessions and without access to clean water. Disaster Aid Australia, together with their international partners, Canada, USA, UK and Ireland has offered assistance.

A major earthquake struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Tuesday 22nd February, causing loss of life and the destruction of large parts of the city. The water supplies to half the city were cut off and there were fears that the remaining supply may be contaminated. ShelterBoxes were sent from Australia with a further 200 tents air-freighted from the UK.

11,000 Life Straws were sent to Pakistan to help with the flood crisis, exhausting stocks. A further 21,000 were available but Life Straw appealed to Rotarians to help restock supplies to assist with the crisis. The RIBI Donations Trust set up a Pakistan Flood Appeal with the express purpose of raising funds to aid the affected communities in Pakistan during the reconstruction phase following this emergency. It is not intended as an emergency response fund - the funds will be restricted in their use.

RIBI International Disaster Fund - August 2010

Hundreds died after the worst floods in Pakistan for the past 80 years, with 30 million people being affected. It is now consider that the devastation is even greater than the Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake. RIBI President Jim Moulson launched the ‘RIBI International Disaster Fund' which will be used for Pakistan and other international disasters as they occur. The fund will be used in emergency situations and for long term sustainable projects.

Chile - February 2010

On the 27th February a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile. The most heavily affected area was around Concepcion but the damage extended to the capital, Santiago, 200 miles away. There was major damage to the road and communication systems and hundreds perished. As always, after saving lives, the main needs are water and shelter. The life-saving boxes by Rotary were on the scene very quickly.On the 27th February a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile. The most heavily affected area was around Concepcion but the damage extended to the capital, Santiago, 200 miles away.