THE ROTARY CLUB OF BANBRIDGE
Photograph: Two survivors who found shelter after the
earthquake one year ago. Picture courtesy of Mark Pearson, ShelterBox.
One year on from the Haiti earthquake, communities are
still coming to terms with the loss of life and of livelihoods. Measuring 7.0 on
the Richter scale, the tremors hit Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas on the
12th of January 2010 with such force that virtually nothing was left standing.
An estimated 230,000 people lost their lives and over a million people are still
believed to be homeless. Even now, many families are still living in emergency
tents.
The immediate aftermath saw one of the largest fundraising responses by
Rotary clubs from across Great Britain & Ireland. Thanks to the generosity
of the public, Rotarians raised an incredible £3m in the first three months of
2010 for Rotary-supported boxes including Shelter Box, Water Survival Box and
Aquabox. Just as quickly, work began on creating long-term solutions. The Rotary
International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI Donations Trust set up a fund
specifically for Haiti, which will only be used to support sustainable projects
that go beyond immediate needs.
Rotarians the world over are continuing to work alongside
fellow Rotarians in Haiti. It is thanks to this pre-existing network that
rapid-response boxes were able to be distributed quickly and efficiently.
Through fundraising, visiting the area for building projects and talking to
communities, Rotarians are helping Haiti to help itself by understanding needs.
This commitment to Haiti has always being in place. Prior to the earthquake,
there were over 30 educational and humanitarian projects underway.
There is no overnight fix. Rotary is committed to
supporting Haiti through long-term projects which include a new Rotary Jaipur
Limb centre in the grounds of a hospital in Pignon. Poorer countries have higher
than average figures for amputations due to accidents at work. The earthquake
increased those figures even more with many victims being young children who
will need additional care as they outgrow their artificial limbs.
The Rotary Jaipur Limb Project, and several other Rotary
supported plans, is starting to make a real difference to the many who are in
need of help. It has also been asked to create a permanent training centre for
new technicians who will safeguard the future of this care project.
Thanks to the long-term commitment of humanitarian
organisations, including Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI),
there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
If you would like to help rebuild lives, contact your local
Rotary club.