International Committee
The International committee this year is co-ordinated by Rtn Gail Ashley from the Rotary Club of Belper and Duffield. The committee is responsible for formulating and disseminating plans in respect of any disasters occurring overseas, for promoting any District led projects, for providing information, advice, guidance and resources in respect of any international Rotary activity.
The International Committee will be working in close harmony with the District Foundation Committee this year, as it is clear that there is a lot of overlap between the two.
Turkish Earthquake
ShelterBox report that they are responding to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck southeast Turkey on Sunday 23 October, with the epicentre at the village of Tabanli, 20 kilometres north of Van city.
Two hundred people have been reported dead following the collapse of dozens of buildings across the region. Thousands of homes are severely damaged and many more fatalities are expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours.
ShelterBox is liaising with the Turkish Red Crescent Society and other local contacts. Mark Pearson, ShelterBox Field Operations Specialist, who is on his way to the affected area said;
‘One of the biggest problems the population will face will be the numerous aftershocks and a fear of returning to buildings when so many have been destroyed already. As ever our focus is ensuring the most vulnerable are receiving aid as quickly as possible.'
Urgent help required
Zulfukar Arapoglu, the mayor of Ercis district of Van, told news broadcaster
NTV: ‘A lot of buildings have collapsed, many people were killed, but we don't
know the number. We are waiting for emergency help, it's very urgent. We need
tents urgently and rescue teams. We don't have any ambulances, and we only have
one hospital. We have many killed and injured.’
For further information visit
www.shelterbox.org
Please let Gail know of any fundraising activities being undertaken by your club in respect of this emergency
Major Disasters
Whenever and wherever a major disaster occurs in the world, then Rotary aims to help those that have been adversely affected by it. This is often done in conjunction with Rotary clubs in the area of the disaster.
Often the first and major need is for clean drinking water and for shelter. Immediate response in respect of these issues is dealt with, very professionally by Aquabox ( www.aquabox.org ) and Shelter Box ( www.shelterbox.org ) Information about these two Rotary sponsored organisations can be obtained direct from the website indicated.
Clubs wishing to make donations to or assist with either of the two organisations is again asked to make direct contact with them. The District International Committee would be pleased to receive comment and reports from clubs that have been involved in any way with the two organisation.
Other than the immediate Aquabox and Shelter Box involvement in disasters, there is often a need for further and ongoing support with basic facilities and services that we take for granted. The District response to such need will be determined after consultation between the District Governor , RIBI and if necessary RI and other agencies and will be distributed and co-ordinated by the International Committee.
Details of any such emergency need will be circulated to clubs, essentially by email, but all information will also be posted on the website as soon as it become available.
District 1220 – Joint Project with District 3150 Andhra Pradesh.
“Housing for Humanity”
District organiser: Gail Ashley (Belper and Duffield)
India has experienced high levels of sustained economic growth in recent years but there are still approximately 260 million people remaining below the poverty line making India home to 22% of the worlds poorest people. Conditions in some areas are beyond description.
Our District project for the year is to join with District 3150 in Andhra Pradesh to provide a minimum of 50 houses in Kallem & Manikyapuram village, Andhra Pradesh. These houses will replace the existing huts and sheets of blue plastic under which people live. Our Rotarian colleagues in District 3150 are committed to the project and will manage it on the ground. They are experts at managing such schemes efficiently.
The two districts have been allotted the land needed by the Headman of Manikyapuram village, Warangal District on which to build the houses. They will be named after the sponsoring Rotary Clubs or Rotarian.
The cost of building each house will be in the region of 80,000 to 110,000 Rupees (£1,100 and £1,500) depending on the size of the family. Our contribution towards each house is only £600 with the balance being met by Rotary clubs in District 3150, local government and other donors.
Rotary is helping such families by providing the financial contribution to enable them to live in a decent house. The homes are built in clusters and the local community is involved in the planning and undertakes most of the labour, thereby taking some responsibility themselves. Local Rotarians oversee the project and provide support and organisation to ensure that it is done correctly.
It is not disclosed which house will be allotted to whom to ensure equal commitment to the construction of the houses by all of the community. The participants have to make a man-hour commitment to provide unskilled labour of 100 man days if they are physically able. When the entire building project is complete the Rotarians allocate the homes to those involved in it from the start.
The Rotarians then educate the community about the value of sanitation and provide them with basic hygiene requirements. Each house is typically 200 square feet, plastered and painted inside and out and has a toilet facility outside, something that these communities have never had before.
Sometimes the beneficiary asks for a dividing wall in the house and this increases the cost a little. Clean water is provided as well as electricity where possible. Every house will bear a plaque on the outside with the name of the donor who will then receive details of the family accommodated and a photograph of the house with the family.
The homes not only provide shelter from extreme heat and monsoons, they bring relative comfort, better health, hygiene and sanitation and allow the residents to lead a respectable, healthier life with pride and dignity.
This project meets the areas of focus recommended by Rotary International - water, sanitation and health and shelter.
Thank you on behalf of those who, without your help, have very little hope.
Other International Projects
It is recognised by the District International Committee that many clubs and groups of clubs in the District are heavily involved in a wide variety of projects of an international nature. We would obviously wish this to continue. If any club requires advice or guidance on any matter then please call Gail Ashley who will be only too pleased to assist.
A large number of International projects and charities are shown on the RI / RIBI web site. Full details are given, together with an indication of how Rotary can assist. These include:
- Vision Aid
- Literacy in a Box
- Impact
- International Rescue Corps
- Riders for Health
- School 4 All Africa
- etc. etc.
The minutes of the International Committee meetings will be posted on the website for all members to see. Should you have any comment about our international activities please contact Gail Ashley.