As the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake on Haiti becomes clearer with every passing day, a member of Rotary International in Port-au-Prince is not only helping with the distribution of aid, he is also offering shelter in his own damaged home.
Dr. Claude Suréna, president of the Haitian Medical Association, is helping to lead aid efforts in Haiti for ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity based in the UK sponsored by Rotary clubs worldwide.
Dr. Suréna will meet three ShelterBox volunteers from the U.S. and UK at the Port-au-Prince airport to receive the first 200 ShelterBoxes. Over the next two to three weeks, he will lead the efforts of Haiti’s 16 Rotary clubs to ensure that this relief is deployed effectively to the thousands of homeless in need. There are 1,000 boxes on the way to Port-au-Prince. Each box contains a disaster relief tent that houses 10 people, a stove, blankets and other essential items. In 2008, he also led hurricane relief efforts by Rotary and ShelterBox.
On top of his tireless work, Dr Suréna, is also sheltering more than 100 people in his partially-damaged home in Port-au-Prince.
The tremor has impacted on thousands of lives leaving victims grief-stricken, homeless and at a loss as to how they will survive, let alone how they will rebuild their lives. The rapid response by Rotary International, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, is thanks to the tireless efforts of Rotarians all over the world whether its fundraising or going out to sites as part of ShelterBox Recovery Teams.
In the UK, Rotary Clubs are mobilising to raise funds to replace the ShelterBoxes, Water Survival Boxes and Aquaboxes earmarked for this disaster hit area.
Hugo Pike, Chairman of Water Survival Box, said: “An offer of 200 boxes has been made to Haiti with the possibility of sending out a further 50 as early as next week. As always, our ability to be able to swiftly respond to disasters such as these relies on the fundraising effort of every club member. The more donations generated, the more lives we can save.
“This is where Rotary International can really play to its strength. With over 55,000 members in the UK alone, we can make a real difference to disaster hit areas such as Haiti and help those in the greatest need.”
To find out more or to join one of the Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, click here.
