We are part of a global organisation, Rotary International, with some 1.4 million members and represented in almost every country. Rotary and the organisations it supports are already responding to the massive earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria on 6th February.
You can read about Rotary’s initial response on the Rotary International and the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland websites. In these early days, the main need is for the basics like shelter and clean water. Three agencies that started in Rotary clubs, and are supported by Rotary clubs, are Shelterbox, Aquabox and Water Survival Box.
Weald of Kent Rotary’s initial response is to purchase three Water Survival boxes.
Looking forward, beyond the first rescue operations, there will be a massive reconstruction effort. There are 93 Rotary clubs in the District covering Anatolia, where the worst of the Turkish damage occurred, and they will feed information to Rotary clubs and districts so that money donated to reconstruction can be directed to projects that will do the most good. Unfortunately, Rotary is not represented in Syria, but RI will liaise with other agencies to identify appropriate projects.
Our local District (Kent and East Sussex) has set up a disaster fund, as has the global Rotary Foundation. Weald of Kent will be contributing to one or both.
Image is public domain, from Wikimedia Commons