Hello, everyone:
 
As a follow up to our first email regarding the situation in Ukraine, we have received more information from Rotary International on how we can support the areas in need through our Disaster Response Grants. 
 
There are many groups who have reached out to Districts over this last week, but an option for you or your club is to support these areas of need through the Disaster Response Fund.  This fund was also used during the COVID pandemic, and many clubs and communities directly benefitted from it. Please see the information below from our Rotary International Director, Vicki Puliz, and our Rotary Foundation Trustee, Larry Lunsford.
 
 
Yours in Rotary, 
Danielle Lallement's Signature
 
Danielle Lallement
District Governor 2021-2022
Rotary International District 5150
Rotary Logo and Serve to Change Lives logo
 

 
 
Rotary's Disaster Response Fund is a general fund to receive contributions for worldwide response to natural disasters. The fund typically provides for Disaster Response Grants of up to $25,000, made to Rotary Districts to assist on the ground in these disaster areas.
 
Due to the growing humanitarian and refugee crisis taking place in Ukraine and the impacted surrounding countries, on March 2, 2022, the Executive Committee of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, acting on behalf of the Trustees, agreed that the sudden and extreme needs prompted by the crisis in Ukraine warrant immediate action to bring relief in these impacted areas.
 
All contributions to Rotary's Disaster Response Fund, through 30 April 2022, will be used to support relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine and surrounding areas. Rotary districts that have been affected by the Ukraine crisis will receive priority access to Disaster Response Grants until 30 June 2022.
 
The current decision specifically provides that Rotarians in Rotary Districts in (1) Hungary, (2) Poland, (3) Ukraine/Belarus (they are one district), (4) Czech Republic and Slovakia, and (5) Republic of Moldova and Romania are eligible for a Disaster Response Grant of $50,000 until 30 June 2022. When one grant is completed, another grant can be requested, to mobilize donations as soon as possible to make the most difference.
 
Although there is a club in Belarus, and Belarus and Ukraine are one district, the Disaster Response Grant application is being submitted by the Ukrainians, the bank account into which the funds will be received is in Ukraine, and the supplies will be purchased and distributed in Ukraine. None of the grant funds are planned to be used in Belarus.
 
In summary, donations go to Rotary's Disaster Response Fund, and grants are made to Rotary members in the field. This channel of support gives donors the greatest assurance that contributions are going to help those most in need.
 
Disaster Response Grants may be used to provide basic items such as water, food, medicine, and clothing and for providing immediate aid to support refugees of this crisis.

If you would like to help, please click HERE to donate to the Disaster Response Fund.  
 
Vicki Puliz, Rotary International Director 2021-2023
Larry Lunsford, Rotary Foundation Trustee 2021-2025