District 5340 Rotary Clubs aid Typhoon Victims

District 5340 Rotary clubs have responded quickly to the need for relief for victims of the Haiyan Typhoon in the eastern Philipines.  Even before Rotary International President Ron Burton could issue a call for the 34,000 Rotary Clubs around the world to provide aid, San Diego was already sending aid.  The Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe, for example, raised

$1000 at their meeting as details of this disaster were just unfolding in the news. The $1000 was sent to ShelterBoxUSA, a Rotary project partner. ShelterBoxes are large plastic containers that have a sturdy family sized tent, cooking utensils, and cots. The tents can be used for a long time until permanent housing is constructed. RB Sunrise Rotary has also sent $1000 to ShelterBoxUSA. 

Rotary partner ShelterBox has committed aid for 4,000 families in the form of emergency shelter and other relief assistance.

This disaster is “exactly why we entered into our partnership with ShelterBox,” says Burton. “It gives Rotary members worldwide the opportunity to respond immediately and in a very meaningful way to the life-threatening conditions faced by the people of the Philippines.” There are 800 Rotary Clubs in the Philipines.

“Rotary members often are both first-responders and rebuilders when major disasters strike because clubs are present in every corner of the world,” Burton says. “We continue with recovery efforts long after international relief agencies have gone because Rotary clubs are part of the communities we serve.”