The Rotary Club of Tenby have made a significant contribution of £2,000 to a fund set-up to assist the medium and long-term programmes of providing livelihoods and rehabilitation following the Asian tsunami disaster. Following the disaster, Rotary District Governor, Michael Rye, of District 1150 South Wales, was in touch with District Governor Pieris, of District 3220 Sri Lanka, to ascertain the best way to offer them assistance. As many small fishing villages and families were affected (almost 100,000), the needs of fishermen had been identified and are as follows: Provision of a small wooden boat (Cat Marine), providing livelihood for one family, US$250 (£143). Provision of a large wooden boat, providing income for two families, US$400 (£230). Provision of a fibre and mechanical boat, providing livelihood to more than five families, US$5,000 (£2,850). Costs of nets - there are different varieties with the average cost being US$300 (£172). The fund will be administered by Rotarians in South Wales working jointly with Rotarians in Sri Lanka. Rotary in Great Britain has also been active in providing immediate assistance through the provision of shelter boxes, disaster boxes and aqua boxes. A shelter box (enough for eight people) contains a large tent, sleeping bags, utensils and other basic necessities. A total of 250 such boxes were sent out in the first few days. Aqua boxes are large plastic boxes (about half the size of a bath) filled to the brim with purification tablets; in use the box is filled with dirty water and with the aid of a few tablets the water is cleared and purified. A total of 500 aqua boxes have recently been dispatched. Disaster boxes are boxes made up to a supplied list of items, such as clothing for all the family, tools, torches, daily essentials, such as sanitary wear, baby's nappies. The Rotary Club of Tenby has previously purchased Aqua and shelter boxes, and, with the assistance of local schools collected items for several disaster boxes. These schemes are administered by Rotary Clubs, and immediate aid given when disasters and emergencies occur worldwide. These schemes are currently working flat out to provide as much assistance as possible. With the donation of £2,000, (one of its largest single donations), club president, Steve Kelly, said that the Rotary Club of Tenby had all but wiped out their currently available funds and they would be looking to put on further fund-raising events and ideas in the weeks ahead to assist with the ongoing aid effort in Asia and also where needs arise nearer to home. If anyone would like further information or would like to contribute to the Rotary effort, contact club secretary Jim Fleming on (01834) 845056, or write to the club at their headquarters, The Royal Lion Hotel, Tenby.
