Rotarians from Narberth and Whitland continue to help fellow fundraisers from Rotary International in assisting with worldwide work currently being carried out in areas that have experienced disasters in this day and age such as Ukraine and most recently those suffering from the earthquake disasters in Turkey and Syria.

“Our international committee within Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club have in the last 12 months since the invasion of Ukraine donated the following into international appeals,” said Rotarian Ken Morgan.

“£3,900 has gone towards supporting health and professional services support and refugee assistance specifically for Ukraine. 

“A shelter box costing £590 was sent to an international distribution centre for those suffering the effects of the earthquake in Turkey. The shelter box provides a tent for a family plus some essential cooking utensils. 

“Currently our Rotary committee is assessing the needs expressed in the letter I just sent to you. We have considered sending £500 for a fund to purchase an electricity generator and another Shelterbox as an initial response. 

“In some individual years we have donated as many as three shelter boxes which were held in the international distribution centre and then stockpiled and requisitioned for any disaster as soon as one was declared. 

“The availability of such stockpiles are invaluable when disasters occur overnight,” he continued.

Four preferred charities recently gave Rotarians an update on the progress they have made in dealing with the earthquake disasters.

First responders in Turkey and Syria have stated that there is an acute need for winterization materials, debris removal equipment, medical aid, search and rescue volunteers, temporary shelter, food items, and WASH.

First responders in Syria have stated that there is an acute need for: search and rescue volunteers, fuel, winterization items, and water supplies.

This needs list is actively informing Airlink’s response priorities, who are continuing to work with their trusted partner in the region Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIHAD) to establish a secure supply route. They have also been in contact with additional partners including FireAid and Rotary Disaster response teams to reach as many people as possible.

The ShelterBox response team in Türkiye met with Rotary District Governors in Istanbul recently to discuss logistical challenges. Travel is quite restricted to the affected areas within Türkiye, and some local roads and airports are damaged.

Within Syria, access is even more challenging given the limited number of border crossings, damage to infrastructure and a complex political and security environment. Rotary are heavily involved in this stream of work and are helping with the in-country logistics and clearance for the tents in Türkiye, and we are looking at how they can work together.

Rotarians have also been working closely with the ShelterBox supply chain team to facilitate the movement of tents via a Turkish Airlines flight, provided free of charge, as part of efforts alongside the IFRC and Turkish Red Crescent.

The Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust works with Rotary Clubs and their volunteers by providing funds for long term, sustainable projects that will help those communities to fight in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

The trust is not providing immediate emergency help, as governments have promised help and there are a great number of charities better equipped to do so, but it’s there to help fund those that offer solutions once the immediate need has been met.

They have opened an on-line appeal which can be accessed by the link:https://giving.give-star.com/online/rotary-disaster-recovery-trust/turkey-syria-disaster-appeal

If you would like to donate to one of these charities the quickest way is to contact them directly via their web pages:

• Aquaboxhttps://aquabox.org/

• Shelter Boxhttps://shelterbox.org/

• Water Survival Boxhttp://www.watersurvivalbox.org/

• Disaster Aid UKhttps://disasteraiduk.org/