Rotary provides urgent relief to victims impacted by natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region
(EVANSTON, Illinois, USA, October 7, 2009) – Members of Rotary, one of the world’s largest humanitarian service organizations www.rotary.org, are providing urgently needed relief to those affected by natural disasters in the Philippines, Samoan Islands and Indonesia.
As a community-based organization made up of business and professional leaders, Rotary is working through its clubs at the grassroots level to provide aid and assistance — both immediate and long term — to those impacted by these disasters. Examples of early Rotary relief efforts include:
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Life-saving shelter, food and medicines to those impacted by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Sumatra Island on 30 September. Rotary clubs in Australia and New Zealand donated 10-person tents containing blankets, water purification, cooking equipment and other essentials in cooperation with ShelterBox
www.shelterbox.org, an international disaster relief charity supported by Rotary clubs around the world.
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Food, water, shelter and clothing to those impacted by Typhoon Parma in the Philippines, which slammed into the country on 3 October. Local Rotary clubs distributed 700 relief packs composed of rice, sardines and instant noodles, and 300 ShelterBox tents were set up in the country’s mountainous northern region.
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Emergency relief to victims of a tsunami, which struck the Samoan Islands on 30 September, following a series of earthquakes. Two-hundred Emergency Response Kits, each containing basic necessities such as blankets, food, clothing, cooking utensils and tools, toiletries, medical supplies and even candles and matches. Rotary clubs in New Zealand partnered with Air New Zealand to donate these kits – worth a total of US$55,200 in aid. Rotary clubs in New Zealand are also running an appeal for disaster relief funds. Those wishing to contribute can make donations through the internet to Westpac 03 1702 0192208 02, or by check made payable to RNZWCS Limited and posted to PO Box 20309, Christchurch, New Zealand 8543.
“All the disaster analysis and planning undertaken by Rotary Samoa and their partners over many years is now being fully appreciated,” says Stuart Batty, a senior leader of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service. “Our immediate focus is on families and vulnerable people, including those with disabilities.”
Rotary – an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide in humanitarian service - has more than 1.2 million members in more than 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographic regions. As volunteers, Rotary members have been serving the needs of communities worldwide since 1905.
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