Rotary International has launched a fund which aims to help the long-term rebuilding needs of earthquake hit Japan. The Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund will be used for sustainable projects such as schools and hospitals.
The tremor and following tsunami have taken hundreds of lives and crushed communities. Currently, Rotary emergency response projects, including ShelterBox and Water Survival Box, are on site to assess the damage and provide immediate support in the form of shelter and clean water to the survivors.
For the public
Donations are much appreciated by the public to the Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund. These can be made either by sending a cheque and using this donation form or donating online.
For Rotarians
The Rotary Foundation Chairman, Carl Stenhammer, and the TRF Trustees, have decided:
This fund will accept cash contributions, online donations and DDF donations.
There will not be Paul Harris Fellow recognition for donations to the fund.
Matching Grants and Global Grants related to disaster recovery in Japan and other Pacific island nations must adhere to the policies and guidelines stipulated in the TRF Code of Policies and grant terms and conditions; this includes the restrictions on construction.
The TRF Trustees will waive the minimum percentage of funding requirement of the international (overseas) sponsors for Matching Grants related to these disaster recovery projects, thereby permitting districts in the affected areas to contribute more than 50% of the total DDF and/or cash designated for the grant project.
There will be a request made to the general secretary to provide a recommendation for consideration at the April 2011 Trustees meeting with regard to how the disaster recovery fund will be utilised among the affected districts, eg even percentage split, weighted percentage split, first come/first served, etc.
There will be an extension of the 2011/12 Matching Grants application deadline to 30 April 2011 for grants related to these disaster recovery projects.
For more information regarding this fund, please contact Harvey Newcomb from The Rotary Foundation Programme
