Turkey & Syria Earthquake Disaster MARCH 2023 UPDATE

The Rotary Club of Thanet responds to the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria



This update refers to a recent meeting of Rotary International co-ordinators and shows how effective Rotary can be on a global scale when a disaster strikes.

 The Rotary Club of Thanet has been active in supporting Shelter Box which features at the end of presentation below and has donated over £1,000 since the disaster occured. 

                                                        ************

This meeting was hosted by Christine Covotsou-Patroclou (Regional Co-ordinator), the DG of District 2430, Emre Ozturk, and supported by Rotary Leaders from the other two Turkish Districts. Alongside this DG George Azar from D2452 (Lebanon) updated us on the possibilities to support the Syrian community. There were 49 attendees from several zones around Europe including Portugal, Spain, GB&I, Austria and others. 

The main presentation was by DG Emre Ozturk in which he outlined the current situation in Türkiye and the projects currently being undertaken. Summary of Emre’s presentation There have been 47,000 deaths reported and around 7,500 aftershocks as well as all utilities in several towns being completely destroyed. The hospitals, schools and other public buildings along with thousands of private buildings were completely destroyed. As the earthquakes occurred at night the survivors were in their night clothes and therefore lacked such things as shoes and day clothes. In response Rotary in Türkiye put into place a three part plan of action.

 Part 1 a) Rotary set up four centres and supplied 100 trucks with provisions and emergency aid which was able to provide food for 300 people for three weeks. 

b) Set up three “tent cities” in Iskenderum (100 tents), Adryaman (50 tents) and Kirikhan (50 winter tents). Food, toilets and showers were also provided.

 c) Two shelter centres were provided in neighbouring towns with food and hot water for 300 people. d) Rotaract held parties for the children. 

Part 2 a) In this part of the programme, they are committed to providing more permanent living centres. They are using containers which have a kitchen, toilet, shower and living space. These are not freight containers and they have thermal insulation. They have provided 120 and are hoping to increase this to house 220 families. Each container costs in the region of $3000 - $5000. 

b) Providing other facilities in the centres such as laundry, social space and centres for women.

 Part 3 Using Global Grants the three Districts are committed to providing health, hygiene and educational facilities. 

a) A medical Centre has been applied for. b) Two more applications are ready one for a large articulated lorry housing a commercial kitchen and the other for a nursery for young children. Issue 2.4 Disaster Response Bulletin March 2023 There were two more presentations by DG’s Summary of DG Duat Baysan’s presentation from D 2420 The city of Andana was severely damaged with 175000 homes needing to be rebuilt. There were no services in the city. Three hospitals collapsed and people going without washing facilities for more than 10 days. Thankfully gas and electricity has been reinstalled but no sewerage or fresh water. Rotary has sent 40 containers with necessary supplies. They have also supplied an ultra-sound scanner for the maternity unit. Food production has also been affected. The earthquake has caused the citreous fruit to drop off the trees before it was ready thus greatly reducing the harvest. Food production has also been affected. Summary of DG George Azar’s presentation from D 2452 (Lebanon) George pointed out that Syria is closed with respect to Rotary helping in that country but there have been many refugees coming from Syria to Lebanon, Armenia, Jordon and Cyprus. North Cyprus has taken 2000 – 3000 refugees with Kyrenia taking 9000. There is a desperate need for water.

 Shelter Box are fortunate in that they are able to operate in both Türkiye and Syria and to date by working with Rotary and local authorities they have been able to achieve: They have imported tents into Türkiye soon after the earthquake, more tents and other essential items like blankets, mattresses, stoves, and lighting are almost ready. Their emergency response teams are based in Gaziantep – a large city in southern Türkiye - and Istanbul. They continue to visit affected areas including in Hatay and Adiyaman where there has been significant destruction. In northern Syria, as well as tents, high thermal blankets, and mattresses, they will be supplying people with solar lights, water carriers, and multi-purpose cash. Cash assistance gives people who have been left with very little the flexibility to get what essential items they need. It gives them a choice. With no electricity, solar lights will help families spend time together during dark evenings, and watercarriers will help people store their own drinking water. 

                                          March 2023 UPDATE ENDS

                                                        *************

February 2023. ShelterBox commented:
'ShelterBox is committed to respond in both Türkiye and Syria. Our response will focus on the areas where the needed is greatest.

We will be providing tents to help people to shelter from the winter weather, prevent the spread of disease, and gain some privacy. We’re providing thousands of blankets and expect items like solar lights and mattresses to be needed. And we are also distributing warm children’s clothing in northern Syria.

The conditions are challenging and our emergency response teams are working around the clock to get aid to Türkiye and Syria.

For more details regarding ShelterBox go to :

https://tinyurl.com/4da422ck

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Rafik receives his certificate

Rafik Mawji awarded Honorary Membership

more  
Club members, partners and friends at the end of their walk

Social walk the Rotary Club of Thanet.

more  
A fine turn-out

Rotary members turned out for an autumnal walk from Reculver Towers

more  
Jim Nicholson from The Rotary Club of Thanet presents a cheque for £1,000 to Karen Pilgrims from the Pilgrims Hospice

The Rotary Club of Thanet make donation to The Pilgrims Hospice

more  

The Freda Carr Hospital in Ngora Uganda A hospital restored

more  
Photo sot halfway round the walk

Rotarians and friends enjoy a walk and pub lunch

more  
President John Reid with Junior Rugby medal

Our club has been busy in the local community

more  

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

more  

Thanet Rotary sponsors Schools Day as part of Margate Bookie 2024

more  
Ramsgate Harbour

As well as the many deaths and much suffering, Covid has raised many societal issues which have demanded a response.

more  

Once again The Rotary Club of Thanet supports The Millmead Centre

more  
Letter of thanks from ShelterBox

The Rotary club of Thanet raises money for International causes.

more  
What we Do

If you want to find out more about The Rotary Club of Thanet

more  
Past President Jim Nicholson pins the President Badge to new incoming president John Reid

The club held their handover meeting on the 4th July 2022

more  
President John Reid and his family and guests at the President's Lunch

The Rotary Club of Thanet is please to announce three new Paul Harris Fellowships

more  

The Rotary club of Thanet sponsored Schools Day at The Turner centre on the 4th October 2024

more  

Rotary club of Thanet members enjoy private visit to theonetoone collection.

more  

Brett Dennis, President of The Rotary Club of Thanet welcomes Hatice Yarpuz (TJ) as a new member of the club.

more  

ROTARY CLUB OF THANET ACHIEVMENTS

more  
President John Reid greets Janis Buckley from The Cheerful Sparrows charity.

Janis Buckley Chair of The Cheerful Sparrows came to speak to our members on Monday 30th January 2023

more  

The Rotary Club of Thanet responds to the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria

more  
Venessa Barnes from TESCO presents Jim Nicholson from The Rotary Club of Thanet with the Bookshelf cheque.

Tesco at Westwood allowed us to use their 'Bookshelf' for July and August

more  

Funds from the Cinderella Fund go to the Millmead Centre

more  

Eye treatments delivered by boat along the Mekon river in Cambodia in collaboration with Rotary Clubs in Phnom Penh, France and Belgium. And now Rotary club of Thanet

more  

We went with wives, partners and family to the Cliftonville Indoor Bowling Club

more  

World Book Day was on the 7th March 2024. The Rotary Club of Thanet has been hard at work over the past 24 months buying and distributing books to our local schools.

more  
Past president Brett Dennis 'hands over' to incoming president Maria Woodward

The club officially handed over to the new president for the 2024 -2025 club year

more  

Rotary Club of Thanet along with Broadstairs Town Team Garden Group plant purple crocus bulbs in support of World Polio Day

more  
Rotarians meet at Greenwich

The Rotary club of Thanet held an International weekend which started on Friday 19th May to Sunday 21st May 2013

more  

Members of St John's Ambulance visit our club

more  
2023 Pantomime

The Rotary Club of Thanet once again organise a trip to the Pantomime...Oh yes they have!!!

more  
The 'Cinderella Bucket' Rotary Club members with guests and members of the public enjoying the concert.

Our Band Concert held at The Pavilion Broadstairs on the 10th April 2022 was a great success.

more  

The President of The Rotary Club of Thanet presents medals to all those attending the Primary Schools rugby

more  

1, 575years ago Britain was invaded by the Vikings

more  

The Rotary club of Thanet held a fundraising event at 'G' Casino Westwood Cross

more  

Our Band Concert was a great success....read on

more  
Rotary Club of Thanet 40th Anniversary

The 40th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Thanet was held on the 7th August 2023

more  

A great evening was had at the Golden Lion Broad Oak when 35 members and friends came out for an evening of 'Bat and Trap' followed by a Bar-b Q

more  
Dorothy and John Reid, Frances and David Ward on parade at Viking beach

We were pleased to support Broadstairs Town Team's beach clean in Viking and Stone Bays. And we were at it again, this time helping with the repainting of the jetty in May 2021.

more  

We walked. we talked and we raised nearly £1000

more  

The Rotary Club of Thanet is delighted to announce that our popular Band Concert for 2024, in aid of our Cinderella Fund, will be held this year at: The Auditorium Queen's Road Baptist Church Broadstairs on Sunday 28th April 2024 at 7 pm.

more  

The Rotary Club of Thanet welcomes their new president for the 2024 2025 year

more  

The Rotary Club of Thanet has raised £636.50 through Graham Channon who was last year’s Master at Arms. At Grahams discretion this amount was donated to The MS Society, a charity close to his and our members hearts.

more  
David Mirsky RIP

It was with great sadness to our club members on hearing of the death of David Mirsky

more  
President Brett Dennis shows off the new Harriers Strip

The Rotary club of Thanet is pleased to support Herne Bay Harriers football team

more  

TODAY THE 24th OCTOBER 2024 IS WORLD POLIO DAY

more  
Our guest of honour Sir Henry Cooper OBE, KSG. Our Enery. Flanked by some notable Rotarians Neal Elliott, David Mirsky, John Reid, Roger Rook (sadly now deceased) and (Hon member of our club) Frank Thornley.

Rotary Club of Thanet, in partnership with Ramsgate Boxing Club, organised hugely successful boxing nights raising almost £450,000. A substantial sum which was deployed to good effect.

more  

Rotary Club of Thanet support Thanet Scouting parade to celebrate St George's day

more  

The Rotary Club of Thanet welcomed Krista McAlister at her induction to the club on Monday 15th July 2024. The picture is of the club President Maria welcoming Krista.

more  
The Rotary Club of Thanet's Past President Jim Nicholson admires one of the new Re-cycling points

The Rotary clubs of Thanet have got together to provide Rubbish Re-Cycling collection points for a number of Thanet beaches. Open the link below for more details of this ambitious project.

more