World Community

District Governor Addresses Haiti News

The news from Haiti is heartbreaking, but we can be very proud of the rapid response from Rotary and other humanitarian groups. Yesterday our district's Shelter Box coordinator, Dan Christianson, took immediate action contacting Rotary clubs. He also appeared in various news broadcasts asking for support from the general public. Thanks, Dan, for such quick actions. Shelter Boxes are perfect for such a situation. I hope each club will support these boxes with whatever amount you can.

A number of our district folks work regularly in Haiti, led by Ken Schumann and Bob Hollman. As communication channels open up, we should be able to use Ken and Bob's expertise to identify other avenues of help. RI is reviewing the situation and plans to organize additional relief efforts as the situation becomes clearer. I expect to get directions from them in a day or two, but we may also expect that a disaster of this magnitude may well need aid in stages as the immediate problems of food and water and medical aid are replaced by longer-term problems related to housing and sanitation. Our expertise, and yes, our money, will be needed for many months to come. I hope you will keep the people of Haiti in your club's plans, and in your prayers. We should expect additional calls to service soon.

Rotary Haiti Relief Opportunities

During the last two days I have received many questions about how Rotary clubs can help respond to the Haiti disaster. It is so great to see such an outpouring of interest. Thank you. As you can imagine, Rotary International leaders have been huddling to review ways the organization can help, and they have determined several approaches clubs can take. The district also has approaches to recommend.

1. For long term recovery efforts a TRF donor advised fund has been created and is posted at www.rotary.org/haiti. For more info contact Annie Palubicki at (847)866-3488 or annie.palubicki@rotary.org. 501c3 qualified, US tax receipts will be given.

2. If you want to help with short term emergency relief two good options are available;

a. You can give to District 7020 which includes in its territory the Rotary Clubs of Haiti. Contact PDG Richard McCombe at rmccombe@qussiemae.org

b. World Vision is offering a 100% match of any funds contributed by Rotarians. These will be used for emergency relief including food delivery Contact Rynell Freeland with World Vision at rfreelan@worldvision.org. 501c3 qualified, US tax receipts will be given.

3. Shelter Box is on the ground in Haiti and already has 1000 shelters in place. Our district representative is Dan Christianson - dchrist921@sbcglobal.net. Two million Haitians have lost their homes in Port-au Prince. Shelter Box will be crucial in the coming months.

4. Our district has on-going projects in Haiti led by Ken Schumann and Bob Hollman. All those project will need far more funds to expand to meet emerging needs. If your club would like to participate in these projects going forward, please contact the chair of our World Community Service committee, Mike Slawny mike.slawny@we-energies.com

Thank you for all your support during this difficult time.

Bill Wresch, Past District Governor

International H2O Collaboration

The International H2O Collaboration is dedicated to implementing long-term, sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene projects in the developing world. This collaboration is an alliance of Rotary International/The Rotary Foundation and the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID).

More than one billion people lack access to a safe reliable source of drinking water, and more than two billion lack access to any sanitary means of excreta disposal. Combined with unsafe hygiene practices, the result is nearly 1.8 million deaths – the vast majority children – from diarrhea every year. The poor suffer disproportionately from inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene, which helps perpetuate a cycle of disease and poverty. Further, many women and girls spend hours each day fetching water for their families, time that could be spent learning or on other productive activities.

The International H2O Collaboration is initially exploring alliance projects in three countries: the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Philippines. These countries were selected based on their need as well as the ability and experience of local Rotary clubs and USAID missions to address the need. As it progresses, the alliance will strategically consider expanding to other countries.