THE March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan mobilized the Rotary world to help in both disaster relief and recovery operations. ShelterBox, a global Rotary club project, immediately sent tents and emergency supplies while the Rotary Foundation established the Rotary Japan and the Pacific Islands 2011 Recovery Fund. ShelterBox which has operations in the Philippines through the leadership of PDG Jess Nicdao had also responded quickly to previous disasters in Southern and Northern Philippines.
The Philippine College of Rotary Governors led by chairman PDG Jaime Dee issued a statement of solidarity with the Japanese people and urged Philippine Rotarians to give at least P100 each as per suggestion of D3870 PDG Tinnex Jaruala and past RI president, M.A.T. Caparas.
Remittances were turned over to RI president Nominee Sakuji Tanaka – “Mr. Rotary of Japan” — in Evanston, Illinois, USA.
On March 12, e-mailed expressions of sympathy were sent to fellow Regional Rotary Foundation coordinators in Japan – Masateru Kawajiri, Yoshisaku Shimamura, and Yuzuru Hashimoto –asking them to identify areas and assistance required.
The district governors of Zone 7A (Indonesia and the Philippines) were quick to respond. U$2,000 of the District Designated Fund (DDF) was given to Japan Rotary districts most affected.
DG James Makasiar of D3860 sent U$4,000 of DDF and recognized the contribution of the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo and their foundation of U$3,000, which President Toto Tanagan remitted directly to their sister club, the Rotary Club of Itako.
D3800 DG Jun Farcon decided to cancel his trip to the 60th Charter Anniversary of their sister club, the Rotary Club of Fukushima, and instead donated U$1,000 to lead a district campaign. He also decided to donate the remaining amount of the DDF to the TRF Disaster Recovery Fund.
D3400 DG Al Purwah of Indonesia e-mailed a list of initial contributors with an aggregate of U$3,450 and R6,000,000 with promises of more to come.
It was not only to Japan that helped was extended by Rotarians. In the February 22 devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service, a group of Rotarians dedicated to international service projects in New Zealand and the South
Pacific, set up an earthquake appeal fund. Incoming trustee chair past RI president William Boyd said, “The Rotary Foundation has an important place in the family of Rotary and our Foundation will playits part as Christchurch rebuilds.”
D3870 DG Ambo Gancayco pledged to RI director Stuart Heal of New Zealand during the district conference that part of the DDF will be allocated for recovery efforts in his country. D3850 DGJames Makasiar also gave part of the DDF to the same efforts.
That Rotarians were quick to respond is expected. Expected also are that the funds will be used by the receiving Rotarians in the most effective and efficient way. Rotary emphasizes “stewardship” and this had been adhered to for the victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2006.
Good Stewardship leads to continued credibility, gaining more support for the programs of the Rotary Foundation.
San Miguel Corporation through its president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang donated 300 housing units for flood victims of typhoon Ondoy in Valenzuela.
