Rotary clubs in District 4200 respond to devastating floods in Mexico

By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News - 20 November 2007

Rotary clubs in District 4200 are helping communities in Tabasco, Mexico, recover after devastating floods in late October.

Rotary clubs in District 4200 (Mexico) are asking Rotarians worldwide to help them provide relief for thousands of people in Mexico left homeless by devastating floods caused by Tropical Storm Noel in late October. Please contact the Rotarians listed below for information on how to donate.

Local Rotarians have sent small boats stocked with bags of food to flooded areas in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. They also set up a relief center to receive truckloads of blankets, clothes, food, and water.

Now, local Rotarians are asking for help to provide additional clothing, food, household items, and shelter. Clubs in District 4200 are also working on a long-term plan to rebuild homes and establish a water treatment plant.

Approximately 80 percent of the state of Tabasco is still under water, increasing the risk of waterborne disease. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the storm destroyed all crops and livestock. In addition, more than 1,000 schools and 100 medical centers sustained extensive damage.

"The situation here is terrible and getting worse," says Assistant District Governor Josephina Toledo Farrera. "Rotarians are helping out in any way they can, but reconstruction is going to be slow. We need help to restart lives."

To contribute, please contact District 4200 Governor Rodolfo Burguete Martínez or Assistant Governor Josefina Toledo Farrera.

4 Comments:

At 9:31AM on 3 December 2007, Pichet Ruchirat - D3330 wrote: Rotarians in Thailand were very sad to hear the floodings in Mexico and we are sharing our efforts to contribute a disaster fund which will be sent to Mexico soonest... c/o The Rotary Centre in Thailand. www.rotarythailand.org

At 10:38AM on 3 December 2007, David Walbank wrote: The Ladysmith Rotary Club Canada in partnership with Mexicana Airlines delivered over 450 kilograms of aid supplies including baby food, diapers, non prescription medicines, sanitary pads, bandages etc directly to the flooded region in Mexico. Rotarians in Puerto Escondido furthered the shipments to the most needy people without any government bureaucracy. Included in the shipment were 4 wheelchairs, 2 walkers and 52 cartons of relief supplies. The supplies were delivered to Vancouver International Airport at noon on Tuesday and were ready for distribution in Mexico the following afternoon. On hand to welcome the generous donations made by the children of the schools of Ladysmith, the Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary and the Rotarians of Ladysmith was the Deputy Consul General of Mexico. He expressed great gratitude for the humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Mexican people and thanked the people of Ladysmith for their extreme generosity.The Ladysmith Rotary Club in partnership with Mexicana Airlines delivered over 450 kilograms of aid supplies including baby food, diapers, non prescription medicines, sanitary pads, bandages etc directly to the flooded region in Mexico. Rotarians in Puerto Escondido furthered the shipments to the most needy people without any government bureaucracy. Included in the shipment were 4 wheelchairs, 2 walkers and 52 cartons of relief supplies. The supplies were delivered to Vancouver International Airport at noon on Tuesday and were ready for distribution in Mexico the following afternoon. On hand to welcome the generous donations made by the children of the schools of Ladysmith, the Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary and the Rotarians of Ladysmith was the Deputy Consul General of Mexico. He expressed great gratitude for the humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Mexican people and thanked the people of Ladysmith for their extreme generosity. Further supplies can be donated to the Ladysmith Rotary Club.

At 9:58AM on 29 November 2007, Barbara Agostinoni wrote: I think that this kind of service is what Rotary is all about. Some people have the impression that Rotary is only about helping children. Here is a perfect example of how Rotary helps where there is a need.

At 4:09PM on 28 November 2007, Al Poston wrote: I think this is a wonderful way of serving others. It is the foundation of Rotary " Service above self."

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