I am sure that by now you will be aware of the high humanitarian crisis which as reached the stage of being ‘the biggest humanitarian disaster in the world today’. These words were quoted in a news broadcast today, and described a situation which has been waiting to happen for a significant period of time. And just like Rwanda ten years ago governments have stood by and denied that there is a genocide problem – until now!
Monsoon rains have hit the country which has been torn apart by continuing conflict, where many hundreds of thousands, have been killed in that conflict, mainly males, leaving families of women and children with nothing, apart from the clothes they wear. Many are dying from hunger, and more particularly disease, caused by sewerage being washed along by the rains. Children in particular are very vulnerable to the spread of disease, and the lack of clean water, and shelter. The Aid Agencies seem to be in place, having been in the region for a considerable period of time and are advertising in all newspapers for donations. But the situation has escalated with the onset of the rains, and yesterday the Disaster Emergency Committee (comprising of the main Aid organisations in this country), have launched an appeal to support their work in the Darfur region of Western Sudan, on the border with Chad.
Much is needed in the way of donations and assistance from these organisations so how best can ROTARY help:
In the first instance we can support our own Box organisations, who are already responding to requests for assistance from many of the Aid Agencies, both large and small.
SHELTER BOX – contact Tom Henderson Tel: 01326 569782 email tom@shelterbox.org
AQUABOX – contact: Frank Lund Tel: 01629 825178 Email Aquabox@rotaryofwirksworth.freeserve.co.uk
EMERGENCY BOX Contact: Mike Davies Tel: 01613701396 Email mikate@davies58.fsnet.co.uk
Donations are required urgently for all of the box organisations, and in particular for Aquabox and Shelter Box as shelter and clean water are the main priorities in this Disaster. Aquabox will concentrate on Aquabox 30 as a means of purifying 33,000 litres of polluted water per box. However, any club within District currently holding any form of box should return those as soon as possible, so that they are warehoused in readiness for use when requested. Donations to all the Box organisations should be sent as soon as possible direct to the organisation of your choice.
HOWEVER, our District treasurer, Rtn. David Wheeler has agreed to collate all donations, please make cheques payable to District 1150, and all monies collected will be split between our Rotary Box schemes.
Rotary within District 1150 has always excelled in supporting humanitarian appeals, Please help us to help these people in their hour of need.
DG Mike Rye
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