Posted by Rich Kirkham on Oct 07, 2019
Hurrican Dorian Help
Many of you have asked what you can do to respond to hurricane Dorian’s damage in the Bahamas in what promises to be an extended rebuilding and recovery effort.
In October 2018 the Trustees approved a new Disaster Response Fund to help The Rotary Foundation address urgent needs in communities impacted by a disaster. In the event that you receive questions as to what has been done, or what Rotarians can still do, to assist with recovery efforts as a result of hurricane Dorian, I want to share the following updates.
 
  • On 3 September, RI President Mark Maloney reached out to affected district governors in the Bahamas and outlined Rotary’s Disaster Response procedure. This included confirmation that Rotary Disaster Response grants are available. RI staff and senior leaders are in communication with Districts 6990 and 7020, both of which include the Bahamas, to encourage them to apply for grant funding to help support immediate relief efforts.
  • The Rotary Foundation sent out a solicitation to select donors asking for their support of the Disaster Response Fund. You, too, can assist TRF’s ability to award these grants to districts that need them most by making a contribution to the Disaster Response Fund. Your gift will be combined with those from other Rotarians to provide disaster recovery and support rebuilding efforts where the need is greatest so that we can continue Doing Good in the World together. Contributions can be made online: http://www.rotary.org/donate
  • ShelterBox, Rotary’s partner in immediate disaster response, continues to monitor Dorian and its aftermath. It is working with local Rotary members and other relief organizations to assess impact. A decision on whether a response team will be deployed to the Bahamas or other impacted regions will be made once the initial assessment is complete.
  • Rotarians throughout the world are raising funds for relief and recovery efforts and providing supplies. As an example, Rotarians in Florida have secured a 181-foot ship and are filling four 20-foot containers with essential items such as canned goods and non-perishable food, baby formula, tools, flashlights, batteries, towels, hygiene products and much more.
 
Further updates will be shared as they become available. In the coming weeks we know many of you may receive questions about our response to the disaster in the Bahamas and other areas impacted by Dorian. Please feel free to direct questions about applying for a Disaster Response grant to grants@rotary.org.
Questions about Rotary’s partnerships with ShelterBox should be sent to rotary.service@rotary.org. General inquiries on how to assist communities impacted by disaster and all other disaster response questions should go to relief@rotary.org. Specific questions about the Disaster Response Fund, Disaster Response Grants, or ShelterBox can also be directed to Rotary by writing to rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.
 
We are inspired and motivated by the strength and compassion of those who are moving forward in Dorian’s aftermath. We stand united with communities devastated by this and other natural disasters, and we are committed to helping them become stronger and more resilient than ever.
Yours together in Rotary,
Johrita