DISASTER RELIEF FOR THE PHILIPPINES
From District 5370 Governor Betty Screpnek:
An email has gone out to the 10 District Governors of the affected districts to see if they have established relief funds. Once we receive details they will be posted on the Rotary International website. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) will not be establishing a relief fund; however, TRF can be used to address longer term recovery issues. As soon as we have that information, we will send it out to you.
I am also attaching for your information, received from Dale Perret, our Alberta Representative for ShelterBox Canada. ShelterBox is on the ground in the Philippines distributing shelter and aid to those so devastated by the recent typhoon with the staggering loss of infrastructure and lives. We have shipped almost 2,300 ShelterBoxes to the area to date and have two ShelterBox Response Teams (SRTs) on the ground this past week with our Chair of ShelterBox Canada Ron Noseworthy, who is also a fellow Rotarian from Ontario, arriving there shortly. We are still currently active in several other countries too such as Pakistan, Sudan, Iraqi Kurdistan and, combined with the the displacement of so many families due to ongoing civil unrest in Syria, we desperately need your support. It has been announced that the Government of Canada will match donations until December 8th, 2013 to registered charities of which ShelterBox is one and this certainly will help us in making an impact in those areas so tragically affected. Please ensure that all donations to this appeal are marked Philippine Typhoon Appeal. How can you help? By donating is certainly one way and forwarding this plea on our behalf to your friends and family, who in turn can share with their friends and family, will help spread the word and assist us in providing shelter warmth and dignity to the many in need. Our website is only a click away. We sincerely thank you for your support and assistance in reaching out to provide hope for those that are dealing with so much tragedy in their lives.