Photo: Family in Tonga receiving an Emergency Response Kit from a Rotary volunteer
“Utter and complete devastation” describes the damage that Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold wrought on the Pacific nations of Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, with other islands affected to a lesser extent. Rotarians in those nations quickly activated pre-prepared disaster response plans, so they were on-scene almost immediately. The first support families (who had in many cases lost their homes, contents and crops) received was either pre-positioned Rotary Emergency Response Kits or Aquaboxes.
While 600 Emergency Response Kits have been distributed to families in distress (as at 16 April) those affected will need further support because of the extensive damage. Rotary’s response to Pacific disasters is well organised through the local Rotary clubs and it is also supported by and coordinates with the governments of the affected nations.
Please support the work of these Rotary clubs in their response to Pacific disasters through the following account:
RNZWCS - Rotary New Zealand World Community Service
Internet Banking - Westpac New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
Account number - 03 1702 0192208 01
Swift Code - (for international transfers) WPACAU2S
- For general Cyclone Harold assistance Quote: Activity 888
- For Emergency Response Kits Quote: Activity 308
Updates on the Rotary response to Cyclone Harold are posted on www.facebook.com/rotaryoceania and www.facebook.com/rotarynewzealandworldcommunityservice/
The main website for Rotary in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands is www.rotaryoceania.zone
The website for Rotary World Community Service is www.rnzwcs.org