International


Disaster Relief

Rotary is an international organisation with 30,000 Clubs in over 160 countries, including recent additions in Russia, China and Iran. In the event of a natural emergency, through this network, the nearest Club can normally assess the immediate relief needs. This information is passed through the Rotary network as an appeal for the appropriate aid. The adjacent Rotary Club, ensures on site distribution of the resulting aid is efficiently and equably achieved. The recent earthquake in Gujarat, India is an example of how this system works

Playpumps

In 2006,2007 and 2008 the Hatfield Club has led other local Clubs in providing water pumps for poor communities in Africa, powered by children turning playground wheels.

School Assistance

A Hatfield Rotarian, on holiday in Gantok India, found a local school in dire need of a toilet block and a bridge across a small ravine. On his return to the UK he persuaded our Club and another local one to part fund the two projects. The Club's donations were doubled by a matching grant from Rotary's Foundation Charity and within months the two projects were completed.

Emergency Boxes

Rotary provides Emergency Boxes for the immediate relief of disaster victims. The boxes are of two basic types, those to provide the basic necessities of life e.g. clothing, tools and simple shelter materials and Aquabox which provide the facilities to convert contaminated water to drinking standard. Hatfield Rotary Club subscribes to this project.

Rotary's Foundation Charity

The Rotary Club of Hatfield supports international projects through the Charity. It is believed to be the largest non-governmental agency in the world providing educational grants and through its 3H Programme (Health, Hunger & Humanity) and rapid response to emergencies.

Polio Plus

Since 1985 Rotary International, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation has taken a lead role in the prevention of polio. Rotarians world wide will have raised $500 million for this project by 2005. In addition to money Rotary has supplied medical field workers to assist in the immunisation programme. As a result of this programme it is anticipated that the relatively few remaining pockets of polio remaining, will be eliminated by 2005.