I am both delighted and honoured to advise that Rotarians have been busy across the district collecting for Haiti and the money that is collected will go to Shelter Boxes and Water Survival Boxes.

All the Rotary Clubs within District 1200, have in many different ways, raised significant sums of monies, to support the relief efforts of the international force that is helping the survivors and victims of this awful tragedy, individual clubs making superb efforts within their areas, raising, literally thousands of pounds.

Meanwhile, Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland are stepping up efforts to help Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake. Additional street collections are being arranged by clubs and contributions to the RIBI Donations Trust are arriving daily.

Rebuilding Haitian communities is expected to take years and Rotary clubs are determined to give as much support as possible. The RIBI Donations Trust focuses on long-term, sustainable reconstruction projects aimed at getting communities back on their feet after the initial relief effort has been completed. Indeed, the Trust is still helping to turn around lives affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in South East Asia, the Australian bushfires and the Sumatran earthquake.

A special fund has been set up by the Donations Trust which is dedicated to helping Haiti’s future. The trustees will consider how to allocate the funding to achieve the greatest benefit. This could be for projects such as new homes, a replacement hospital, community centres or schools. Continued support by Rotary helps to restore hope, the value of which cannot be underestimated.

Water Survival Box and Aquabox has confirmed that, between them, over one thousand boxes left for the stricken area this week, bringing vital aid to victims. ShelterBox is committing over 3,000 boxes to the relief effort.

Aquabox is sending 1,000 boxes to Haiti via Muslim Aid and Humanity First. This partnership approach has helped to speed up the process and maximise the benefits for victims. This week, boxes, complete with water filters and other equipment, were put on aircraft and flown into the airport at Port-au-Prince. The remaining 600 units will be shipped by sea next week, depending on the condition of the port.

Water Survival Box has confirmed 200 boxes have been sent to Dr Claude Surena in Haiti, who has been pivotal in running the aid effort. These boxes provide a family of four with life-saving equipment including basic shelter, cooking utensils and water filtration packs. While these boxes make their way to Haiti, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge will be packing a further 150 units with plans to dispatch as soon as possible.

ShelterBox has so far sent 1,700 boxes which have now arrived and are being allocated to the worst affected areas. A further 1,600 are being prepared for shipment to the ShelterBox Response Teams who are on the ground, helping to organise distribution. Each ShelterBox costs just under £500 and contains a ten-person tent and survival equipment to help communities get though the coming months.

The success of all of these projects relies on the fundraising efforts of Rotary clubs and the generosity of the public. As these boxes are sent out, more are being packed, creating a need for new boxes and further funding. Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland are reaching out into communities and asking for help to support these life-saving projects.

Any donations should be sent to:

RIBI Donations Trust
c/o Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
Kinwarton Road
Alcester
B49 6PB

Please make cheques payable to RIBI Donations Trust and clearly mark your envelope with Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

If you would like to Gift Aid your donation, please download the Gift Aid Form from our website at http://www.ribi.org.ukwww.ribi.org/thanks-for-life

Gail Tucker (Miss)
Chairman, Communications and PR Committee 2009-2010
Rotary District 1200
Tel: 01225 466533
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