Trustees approve changes to Japan Disaster Recovery Fund

By Ryan Hyland and Dan Nixon
Rotary International News -- 29 July 2011

Top: Members of the Rotary Club of Fukushima South deliver supplies to a hard hit area. Bottom: A benefit concert organized by the Rotary Club of Meudon, Hauts-de-Seine, France, and Ambassadorial Scholar Miki Okubo raised money for earthquake victims. Photo courtesy of Miki Okubo

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Due to Rotarians' enormous support of the Rotary Japan 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund, The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees has approved changes to the fund to make distributing money for relief efforts easier.

More than US$3.6 million has been donated to the fund to help in long-term recovery projects following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on 11 March. More than 30 Matching Grants worth $1.1 million has already been approved.

The Rotary Higashi Nihon Shinsai Fukkokikin (Rotary East Japan Earthquake Recovery Fund) Committee has been formed to oversee the fund. The committee, composed of six Japanese Rotarians, will identify the needs of the affected communities, manage the distribution of funds, oversee project implementation, report on the projects, and ensure that all stewardship practices are followed.

As part of the changes, projects approved by the committee will not have to meet the regular requirements of Matching Grants and Rotary Foundation Global Grants. For example, funds could be used for construction. Additionally, money from the Japan fund will no longer be made available through Matching Grants and global grants.

This approach is similar to how the Foundation successfully managed the Solidarity in South Asia Fund following the tsunami in 2004.

Rotary clubs and districts in Japan may apply to the Japan fund by completing an application form and returning it to the Rotary Higashi Nihon Shinsai Fukkokikin Committee. Download grant application.

Rotary clubs and districts may still apply for Matching Grants and Global Grants funded by the World Fund to support disaster recovery projects in Japan. Matching Grant applications do not have to meet the 50 percent minimum for international partner contributions, but all other standard requirements will apply.

For more information, contact Jennifer Kordell at 1-847-866-3104.

The deadline to contribute to the Rotary Japan 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund is 30 June 2012.

Ways to donate

You may donate online or by check payable to The Rotary Foundation including the notation “Rotary Japan 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund, #G10005.”

Send your contribution to:
The Rotary Foundation
14280 Collections Center Drive
Chicago, IL 60693

You may also donate through your international Rotary office

Rotary districts may also choose to donate DDF. Download the form (PDF)

Questions about contributions? E-mail the Contact Center or call +1-866-976-8279.

Rotarian response

Since the tsunami and earthquake, Rotarians have been active in raising money to support emergency response efforts and in providing relief for hard hit areas. Rotarian efforts have included:

The first Matching Grant project to receive support from the fund was approved a week after the disaster. Clubs in districts 3350 (Cambodia and Thailand) and 2820 (Japan) are using a total of $65,650 to help provide food and drinking water for 15,000 people at an evacuation center in Ibaraki.
Miki Okubo, a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar from Japan, and her host club, the Rotary Club of Meudon, Hauts-de-Seine, France, organized a benefit concert for tsunami victims, held 29 April outside Paris. The concert included performances by notable Japanese musicians living in the city and a local choral group.
Kathleen Koch , a former CNN correspondent and Ambassadorial Scholar, has launched a letter-writing campaign, Words of Hope for Japan , asking people to send support and encouragement to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Koch's goal is to collect 300,000 letters, one for every man, woman, and child living in Japanese shelters.
Members of the Rotary Club of Catalina (Tucson), Arizona, USA, supported a disaster relief concert 24 March that included members of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera, and music students from the University of Arizona. The concert raised $11,000 for Red Cross efforts in Japan.
The Rotaract Club of Tokyo launched the Cheer Tohoku project to rally the support of Rotaractors around the world, asking them to use Twitter to send messages of support to survivors in northeast Japan. The club is also using Twitter to post photos of Rotaractors holding up short messages they’ve written. "We thought we could make use of the worldwide Rotaract network to show people in the stricken area that we care," says club president Ai Takahashi.
The Rotary Club of Akashi, Hyogo, sent a private airplane carrying a load of medical supplies to the Rotary Club of Sukagawa, Fukushima, which delivered them to a hospital near Fukushima Airport. The governor of District 2640 (Wakayama and parts of Osaka) and six Rotarians also brought 1,000 blankets to Rotarians in the Fukushima region.
The Rotary Foundation alumni association in District 3330 (Thailand), an area extensively damaged by the 2004 tsunami, has worked with the district’s local Rotary clubs to raise $15,000 in contributions.

30 Comments:

At 4:16PM on 6 June 2011, Parul Sharma wrote: As an Ambassadorial Scholar from India studying in Canberra, Australia at the Australian National University, I managed to raise fund for Japanese victims by placing donation boxes in restaurants and cafes in Canberra and which turned out to be a potentially big support.

At 8:53AM on 19 May 2011, Peter Gleichman wrote: The Rotary Club of Canton, GA donated $1,000 to the RI Northern Japan Disaster Recovery Fund. The Interact Club of Cherokee County, Georgia, sponsored by the Canton Rotary Club, sold origami; sent origami and letters of support to the Matsudo East Rotary Club, which provided temporary housing to 60 residents of the Fukishima, Japan area; and hosted a member of the Matsudo East club on his way to the RI Convention in New Orleans, raising $1,400.

At 9:33AM on 25 April 2011, laban Okun wrote: Goodmanagement over the sumani issue. from Kisumu Winam Rotary Club 9200. Rotary is about service above self. I will be voluntering to work for the affected victimes on 30th April till 3rd May.

At 9:32AM on 25 April 2011, Justin Schwartz wrote: Good luck to all of you. This disaster has impacted many, and opened many eyes. God bless that district, hope them best success. A poem I wrote, describing how the disaster has emboldened the image of Japan in my mind. Enjoy. Will likely be more readable on my blog. (http://beliefinbelief.blogspot.com/2011/04/fukushima-daiichi.html) "Fukushima Daiichi" red tears weave their way to the center of white cloth; attracted by seismic pull. a circle is born: round rouge, emboldened with thought of water, of torrent, of rubble rinsed in layers of salt, of an island of silenced hands stretched out across dark ocean overflow.

At 1:29PM on 19 April 2011, Ilinca Draganescu wrote: As a Rotaractor, I have the hope and faith that together we can make things better. Rotaract Club Iasi Copou tried its best and made a short movie meant to encourage Japanese people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sujCw0qe898 this is our pray hoping to put a smile on their faces and hope in their souls!

At 11:05AM on 15 April 2011, David J Della wrote: I am a member of Rotary District 5030 in Seattle, Washington USA (Seattle International District Rotary Club) and have a business, Growing Nations Energy, Inc. that is partnering up with the Clean Water Foundation to raise money and deliver @ 200 portable Clean Water machines to Japan's hardest hit areas from the Earthquake and Tsunami disasters. These machines have the capability to produce @ 720 gallons of clean water per hour and serve 2,000 people each unit. The 200 machines we want to bring there will be able to serve @ 400,000 people. We have been told to make contact with a Japan Rotary Club to partner up with to raise money and get the machines into Japan. Please advise as to which Japan Rotary Club and contact is most appropriate for me to contact to discuss this more. Thank you.

At 3:12PM on 13 April 2011, RTN Joseph Walter-Sungai Petani, Kedah Malaysia wrote: One heart, One Rotarian, No matter, what and where it happens, we are always there to lift you up. People of Japan, always remember we are here to help you. We have delivered blankets worth of RM20K. The blanket is to keep you warm during winter. Its small, compare to what others have done but we will continue to support you.

At 9:36AM on 11 April 2011, Hugo Pike wrote: Water-Survival Boxes containing a water purification kit and other essential survival items were offered to all 32 District Governors on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu on the 11 March (the day of the earthquake and tsunami). Although the offer was not taken up immediately on 31 March we received a request from DG 2800 Hatsuo Tsukahara for 100 boxes - for families in need. The consignment arrived in Narita airport yesterday (9 April) and will be collected by Rotarians from District 2800 for distribution in partnership with Rotarians from Districts 2520 (Miyagi) and 2530 (Fukushima). See www.worldwaterworks.org for further details of this Rotary project managed by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge in District 1200, England. Yours in Rotary Service Hugo Pike

At 9:24AM on 7 April 2011, Rtn.Atul Agrawal (RID:3110; India) wrote: The Tsunami has really destroyed some parts of Japan, specially the Atomic Power Stations damage had resulted into the Atomic attack situation. I salute Japanese for their courage and self motivation since they are coming out of such panic situations so quickly. That's the act like a true Rotarian. All The Best.

At 9:23AM on 7 April 2011, Rtn Shashi Kant Sharma wrote: Rtn. Shashi Kant Sharma (Club Secretary-Rotary Club of Brahmavarta Kanpur) (UP, India) every one must help the japan people to get their basic needs. it is the right time to help them. Let all of us pray for them. We Feel Proud to be a Rotarian.

At 3:55PM on 6 April 2011, Teresa Teague wrote: The "Shelterbox" idea will be beneficial to the people of Japan because it provides one of the basic needs in everyday lives.

At 9:54AM on 5 April 2011, Hans G. Eisner (Club Secretary-Rotary Club of Exeter) (Devon UK) wrote: It may not be known in other parts of the world but our main effort in the UK has been to help the Japanese disaster with "SHELTERBOX" donations. My Clyb sent a box from our Club funds when we met on the Monday after the disaster struck with additional donations from our Members there and then. We followed this by organising a Street Collection in the City of Exeter by all four Clubs in the City manning the collecting point on the street in the centre of town for 3 days. The result was that we were able to send over £3500 to shelterbox with (enough for 7 further Sheleterboxes, each box able to help and house 10 people). A drop in the ocean with si many people affected - but each donation helps in these circumstances. We can never do enough ! It is what Rotary is all about.

At 10:09AM on 4 April 2011, Rtn.R.Periyasamy wrote: every one must help the japan people to get their basic needs. it is the right time to help them. Let all of us pray for them.

At 10:06AM on 4 April 2011, M. Craig wrote: As a Japanese Amerasian Rotarian and former GSE team leader to Hokkaido D2510, I have many connections to Japan. Members of Catalina (Tucson)Rotary Club have supported the Japan Disaster Relief concert where musicians and dancers performed for more than 300 people. We raised over $11,000.00 for the Japanese Red Cross. http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/tag/rincon-congregational-united-church-of-christ/ We are also working with the University of Arizona Rotaract Club, and a local elementary school, sending socks for the "Socks for Japan" project. Included in the packets are letters of love and encouragement for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. http://jasonkelly.com/helpjapan/ Yesterday our club supported the Tucson Origami Club which is folding paper cranes for Japan. We are working with a group called Students Rebuild and Architechts for Humanity to raise $200,000 for rebuilding projects in Japan. The Bezos Family Foundation is contributing $2 for each crane sent to them...great project for students! http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/

At 10:02AM on 4 April 2011, Emmanuel wrote: This is so fantastic, I am proud to be a member of this Great Rotary organization. As the Chair of the Rotary eClubOne Disaster Relief, we have set up this direct link to help the actions of one of our own members there: http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/japan-emergency-donations.htm

At 9:48AM on 4 April 2011, Rtn. Avineesh Matta wrote: Rotary Club of Delhi West expresses with grief its deepest condolences on loss of human life in tsunami. May God rest the noble souls of the demised and give great strength to their near and dear ones to rebuild their own life. This reminds us that life is fragile; no one knows the about the next moment, how their life is going to be. Organizations like Rotary make us believe that only good to other needs to be done without expecting anything in return. Serve Above Self as you don’t know what happens next. God Bless!

At 9:46AM on 4 April 2011, Rtn B.P.Mital AG-District-3050(Ajmer) wrote: We all socked to see the unforgettable scenes of disaster of Tsunami on TV.The Rotarians from all over the world actively engaged in helping disaster effected People.I feel proud to be a Rotarian

At 9:44AM on 4 April 2011, PDG RAJKUMAR RAJGARIA wrote: our contribution may be small or big will give a big boost and will also proof that we are 'DOERS'

At 4:50PM on 1 April 2011, clark s. ketteman wrote: God bless those who lost a life or a friend's or relative's life. God bless those whose generosity has shown that they truly care. I am proud ti be a Rorarian!

At 4:49PM on 1 April 2011, Marsha Melson wrote: As I sit here at my warm home desk trying to concentrate on an eclub makeup, I have tears in my eyes reading about Japan's devastation. We prayed at my club's luncheon just yesterday (Cleburne RC, Cleburne, Texas USA 5790) for your recovery. Rotary world wide comes together in times like this to help our fellow Rotarians and families. God bless you all.

At 11:09AM on 31 March 2011, MUKESH ANAND wrote: JAPAN- What a GREAT NATION ! 1. THE CALM Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated. 2. THE DIGNITY Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture. 3. THE ABILITY The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall. 4. THE GRACE People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something. 5. THE ORDER No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding. 6. THE SACRIFICE Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid? 7. THE TENDERNESS Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak. 8. THE TRAINING The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that. 9. THE MEDIA They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage. 10. THE CONSCIENCE When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly what a nation...... MUKESH ANAND New Delhi India 09910015900 www.harmonyindia.org. 2009Harmony Silver Awardee www.google.com. mukesh anand mission vijay MAKING POVERTY HISTORY Thanks to ROTARY

At 9:16AM on 31 March 2011, Toñita Cazarin Guillen wrote: My husband and I are rotary people and we area inviting some girl ex- Rotary Internationational student exchange (like our two older daugthers) that need to live in Mèxico for some months in this dificults times in Japan. Our home in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacàn. is your home. My husband is working in the Mexican Navy and our daugthers are living in other city (Monterrey).

At 3:45PM on 29 March 2011, ana cristina ponce wrote: As Rotaractor I feel proud of our organization......Japan and the Rotary Club were my second home when I lived in Japan.......GANBATE for all my friends and relatives that are facing hard times!!

At 9:06AM on 29 March 2011, Anthony Soriano wrote: As a Rotaractor, I hope that Rotaract as well is helping put a drop into the bucket in any way that they can.

At 12:06PM on 28 March 2011, p.madhvaraya wrote: Wondering the power of this organisation. People from all parts of the world has a chance to be part of this revival process. Even though our contribution is only a drop in the ocean but it still counts. Proud to be a Rotarian.

At 9:56AM on 28 March 2011, John Eberhard wrote: It is heartwarming to see the generous and caring response from Rotarians to the Japan disaster. Clearly Rotarians are following the excellent leadership of the Rotary Foundation and demonstrating a capacity for both disaster response as well as providing a legacy fund for the rebuilding and community development assistance that will surely need the considerable resources now being pledged by Rotarians. It makes one proud to part iof the Rotary family!

At 9:54AM on 28 March 2011, Karen Brown wrote: It is heart warming to know that I am a part of an organization that brings together people all over the world in a great time of need such as this one in Japan. I am proud to be a Rotarian.

At 9:52AM on 28 March 2011, Michael Cates wrote: I am extremely touched by how they apprecitate what all of the other Rotary Clubs around the world are doing to help them in their time of need! But what else would we do! I know I/we Americans would do nothing else as all rotarians feel!

At 9:49AM on 28 March 2011, Rtr.Forhad Hossain Bipu wrote: It's a outstanding job. Thanks to Rotary and I'm proud be a Rotaractor.

At 9:48AM on 28 March 2011, Keith Hickie wrote: We were so shocked when we saw the results of the tsunami on TV. Best wishes for the future from the Rotary Club at Barnsley in The UK.

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