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Our Mission is to provide and assist in delivering humanitarian aid, shelter, sustainable water systems, and other support to people affected by natural and other disasters.

Ukraine Humanitarian Aid

Posted on Feb 28, 2022

Help Provide Urgent Aid to Ukrainians.

The crisis that is unfolding in Ukraine has escalated and has already shown the world that major humanitarian aid is needed in the region. The survivors are fleeing their homes, over 1.5 million people, some heading to friends and family across Europe, and some entering refugee camps. The need for support is both immediate and ongoing. The escalation is happening so quickly that we have launched our appeal to support our ties in Europe and will keep our supporters informed as moves are made to aid those affected.

Disaster Aid Canada joins our Disaster Aid and International Partners; DA Europe, DA UK & Ireland, DA Australia, and DA USA to support European Rotary Leaders, Governments, and other NGOs in trying to establish what help is needed in Ukraine. DA Europe is loading their DA Trailer and coordinating items most needed in their Districts. The aimed emphasis will be on refugees and those that aren’t able to get aid by other means. Disaster Aid doesn’t claim to be politically motivated, only to help the survivors get through this man-made disaster.

At this stage, we ask you to do what you always do and trust us to act with our usual integrity, transparency, professionalism, and compassion as we come up with a plan to distribute resources that we know will be so generously provided by our donors.

Donated funds will go to support humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people. please donate.

Update on Ukraine - March 11

Over 2 million people have fled Ukraine, mostly women, children, and the elderly. Disaster Aid Canada continues to raise funds supporting the humanitarian needs in Ukraine. We have updates from the region and our partners:

We are applying funds raised towards the purchase of Sawyer water filters, purification equipment, needed desperately by victims of the crisis. The equipment is purchased in North America and delivered to Disaster Aid Europe in Prague. The filters are then delivered to the Slovak/Ukrainian border and then to Uzhorod refugee centers. These filters are portable and can be carried by refugees as they move, ensuring them clean water wherever they go. The Sawyer filter is a low-cost all-in-one water filter ideal for providing emergency drinking water for a family for a year.

Disaster Aid USA has sent 1000 of these units already and Disaster Aid Australia has also committed funds to further the clean water initiative in the region.

Disaster Aid Europe additionally is setting up SkyHydrant MAX water filtration systems for Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and other neighboring countries.

Disaster Aid UK & Ireland are also discussing support in the region and we will share updates as we receive them.

Many thanks to those that have already donated to this appeal. please donate.

Typhoon Odette (Rai) Support - Philippines

Posted on Jan 01, 2022

The Island of Dinagat was hit by a historical Typhoon

Typhoon Odette (Rai) made its first landfalls in the Philippines and hit the island of Dinagat.

The Island, a province known for its pristine beaches, is home to over 128,000 people. With over 375 dead and many more missing this has been one of the worst typhoons to hit the Philippines.

Information from the Dinagat Islands has been extremely limited as a result of the crippled power and telecommunication lines. What we do know is thousands of homes have been flattened.

Disaster Aid International partners Disaster Aid Malaysia and Disaster Aid Australia have direct contacts, Balay Mindanaw, in the region. Those partners have traveled to the island with SkyHydrants to provide urgently needed safe drinking water.

To date, they have 7 SkyHydrants ready to ship to communities in Cebu City, Siargao, and Northern Bohol, supported by the Rotary Club of Pasig.

These will be shipped as soon as air freight space can be found.

They will also be assessing how they can deliver further assistance over the coming days with our support.

(reference Disaster Aid Australia - Brian Ashworth)

If you would like to help Disaster Aid International’s response to help the people of Dinaget please donate.

BC Storm Emergency Support

Posted on Nov 16, 2021

BC Was Hit With a Devastating Storm

Help Support BC residents affected by the devastating storm and floods that hit the province on November 14-15th, 2021.

Historic rain levels hit the SouthWest corner of BC causing floods and landslides. Abbotsford, Princeton, Merritt, and areas on Vancouver Island were evacuated and are still displaced from their homes. Hundreds of motorists were stranded and helicoptered out by the Department of National Defense near Hope as mudslides on the highway left them without exit options. Major highways were shut down, washed away in sections from rising river levels, and are still under the observation of civil engineers to determine the toll of damage and expected re-opening timeline.

Disaster Aid Canada is in communication with our Rotary and support contacts in the affected areas. Through their first-hand knowledge, we are able to gather funds to provide direct aid to meet the needs of the region.

We will be collaborating with Rotary groups and other organizations to bring support to the people affected. We will update as the details of the programs come our way.

Please donate what you can to help BC Residents. - Please click here to DONATE

BC Storms Emergency Support Update January 2022:

Disaster Aid Canada continues to provide aid to those that are still feeling the effects of last fall's devastating storm in BC. Your support has helped the people of the Tri-City area, the Interior, and Vancouver Island after the storm and floods displaced thousands of residents from their homes. Contacts have been made in areas such as Merritt, Princeton, Kamloops, and Richmond and we continue to add communities.

The raised funds continue to support Rotary groups such as the Rotary Club of Merritt and the Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond, in cooperation with local community associations, to support the people directly affected by these floods, those most vulnerable to the devastation. We are in direct contact with them as they find ways to support people who have not received government funding, are not eligible for insurance claims, or just need help in the interim.

We are so appreciative of the funds donated so far for the Wildfire and Storm victims in British Columbia.

Your donations have helped address the gaps in immediate emergency services and in the interim services for those who lost their homes. Through the support of gift card donations, supporting local food banks, replacing computers, and providing PPE equipment, we have helped those impacted by storms and wildfires in 2021 and are now developing plans to help with temporary structures as winter impacts the communities. The rebuilding phase in these areas will take some time and funds will be critical once the weather improves in the spring.

Disaster Aid Canada will continue to support these communities hit hardest by these storms. PLEASE DONATE

Rio Blanco Water System Reconstruction Project

By Gerry Beltgens & Fernando Martinez

In the fall and winter of 2020 many communities in Central America were devastated by multiple hurricanes, tropical storms, landslides and flooding.

This on top of the horrors of the pandemic. Millions were affected, tens of thousands were displaced or worse.

The water system for Rio Blanco was destroyed by flooding nearly a year ago. Every morning the women and children leave at 5:00am and walk 2 kilometers with wheelbarrows, buckets and plastic containers to get water. At the source they must wait for their turn to access the water with the other villagers. The men stay home to work in the coffee and bean fields or find work at neighbouring properties. There is only one vehicle in the town and it cannot negotiate the trail to the water. The Rotary Club of Comayagua met with the community to find a solution.

Disaster Aid will raise $14,800 Canadian ($11,750 US) to rebuild the water system. We can start phase 1 as we have $7,700 donated by Disaster Aid Australia, DA Canada and RC Comox.
Phase 1 is the reconstruction of the dam and the building of a sand filtration system. Phase 2 will include the installation of the main water pipe to the village.

Click Here to Donate

Haiti Earthquake Emergency Support

Haiti Was Hit by Another Catastrophic Earthquake!

A 7.2 magnitude Earthquake hit Les Cayes, Haiti on August 15, 2021. The quake has claimed over 1,400 lives and injured thousands more. Haiti is still showing scars of the devastating earthquake in 2010 and the following major Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Most Haitians from Les Cayes that have lost their homes to this disaster have moved to a tent city at a stadium.

Disaster Aid Canada is working with Rotary Groups and other organizations in the affected area to help place the support in the hands of those that need it. We are prepared to send shelter to those displaced from their homes. The evaluation of need is ongoing and Disaster Aid Canada will continue to update our donors as we receive reports from the region. We will update as the details of the programs come our way. Please donate what you can to help Haiti. - Please click here to DONATE

BC Wildfires Emergency Support

BC is on fire and declares a State of Emergency

BC has declared a State of Emergency, with hundreds of fires burning in our province. Smokey skies, eerie sunsets, and low air quality have people concerned. There are severe wind warnings changing the current conditions rapidly and forcing more evacuation orders and alerts. Currently, 18,000 properties are either on alert or evacuation.

Thousands of people have been evacuated, across multiple BC towns. Firefighters from across the world have arrived to help, and support is being brought in to help anyone affected by the fires.

Disaster Aid Canada will be collaborating with Rotary groups and other organizations to bring support to people affected by wildfires. We will update as the details of the programs come our way.

Please donate what you can to help BC Residents. - Please click here to DONATE

BC Wildfire Update January 2022:

Disaster Aid Canada continues to provide aid to those that are still feeling the effects of last summer's devastating fire season in BC. Across BC, 32,882 people were displaced due to the fires.

The raised funds have been going to support the Rotary BC Wildfire Relief Team. This collaboration is a centralized project to enable the collection of donations to assist the affected regions to directly support people affected by the wildfires. Evacuees have received Gift Cards for food, supplies, and fuel. Many of the evacuees from the town of Lytton were hit a second time, as they had relocated to Merritt and were hit by floods this fall.

While Lytton hasn't been re-built, it is still very much active in the surrounding area and looking forward to eventually rebuilding the community. DAC is supporting the local volunteer fire department by helping to replace their safety equipment. The Firehall and all the equipment inside were lost in the fire. We are providing funds for SCBA gear for the fighters. They protect Lytton and the surrounding areas, including 5 indigenous communities.

We will be focused on the rebuilding phase next and that will be lengthy. Funds will be critical once the weather improves in the spring.

To support the rebuilding efforts in BC's Interior please consider donating to the BC Wildfire Support Fund. PLEASE DONATE

Oxygen for India

It is like a War Zone in the Hospitals

Disaster Aid Canada and DAUSA have partnered to raise funds for small oxygen generators ($550 each) to be delivered to the rural areas in India. We are working with Rotary clubs here in Canada, the USA and India. DAC, DAUSA, our DAI Partners in addition to the Rotary Clubs have close connections in India that will be distributing the generators to the Rural areas of India where oxygen supply is the worst.

Constant transportation of the oxygen bottles (when available) is a logistical nightmare and having small oxygen generators in these areas is a solution that is needed now! We already have them sourced and our in country partners know where they need to go. We need the funds to purchase these Generators and Concentrators.

BBC “Typically, healthcare facilities consume about 15% of oxygen supply, leaving the rest for industrial use. But amid India's second wave nearly 90% of the country's oxygen supply - 7,500 metric tonnes daily - is being diverted for medical use, according to Rajesh Bhushan, a senior health official.”

Please help deliver small oxygen generators instead of bottles! - Please click here to DONATE

Nutritional Supplements for Severely Malnourished Children in Guatemala

UPDATE - Nutritional Supplements for Severely Malnourished Children in Guatemala

The first tranche of funding ($2,500.00) has been sent to the Rotary Club of Guatemala Vista Hermosa Satellite Uwara. They are picking up 2000 bags of the nutritional supplements from the manufacturer on May 29 and delivering them to our friends at Mayan Families. From there the supplements will be given weekly to 100 selected undernourished children as a special formulated food supplement. The families will be visited regulalry by two social workers. We want to thank the Rotary Club of Chemainus, Don Mercer, Jacqueline, Mealing, Virginia Hambly of Sidney, Disaster Aid Australia, Pat and Maggie from Ladysmith, and all of the others who are supporting this project. We could not do this without you!

Gerry Beltgens and Jacqueline Mealing

Rotary Clubs of Ladysmith and Chemainus have teamed up with Disaster Aid Canada and the Rotary Club Guatemala Vista Hermosa Satellite Uwara to address malnutrition in the Mayan Villages. Click HERE to donate

You can provide 2 kilo of Nutritional Supplement that will provide the required Nutrition for a mother and child approximately $5.00 Can per month or $4.00 US.

Over 60% of the children are severely undernourished. These Rotary Clubs have been working in Mayan villages for some time and are very aware of the decreasing height and weight of children under six. As a consequence many also suffer from respiratory infections and hunger.

DAC and Rotary Clubs Restore Water to Honduran Village

Disast

er Aid Partners with Rotary Clubs to Restore Water to Honduran Village
Gerry Beltgens, April 2, 2021

“Solving problems as a team just gets more work done.” That is the inspiration behind the Disaster Aid Regional Collaborative. The DA Regional Collaborative or DARC for short, was formed in January 2021 to enable Disaster Aid Canada, Disaster Aid USA and Rotary Clubs in Guatemala and Honduras to work effectively on regional challenges.

Our first project as a collaborative in Honduras is now reaching completion. Organized by Disaster Aid Canada but managed by the Rotary Club of Comayagua in Honduras and the Rotary Club of Comox in Canada, the project was spec'd and funded in record time. Fernando Martinez of Comayagua and Brian Mather of Comox had worked together on the original water Project for the Village of La Mata 12 years ago. La Mata has a population of 500 and access to clean water was now out of a creek 7 kilometers from town.

Update on Honduras and Guatemala

Developing a Path Forward - Disaster Aid Canada Forms Disaster Aid Regional Collaborative

DAC partners with Disaster Aid USA and Guatemalan and Honduran Rotary Clubs

For more details visit:

https://disasteraid.ca/page/disaster-aid-regional-collaborative

Disaster Aid Canada Progress Report on Guatemala and Honduras

Gerry Beltgens, Executive Director Disaster Aid Canada - January 26, 2021

In the fall of 2020 Honduras and Guatemala were hit by named hurricanes Eta and Iota between November 4 and 17, 2020. The rain and wind was so severe that some homes were flooded up to four times in the space of a few weeks. 5.2 Million people were affected in Central America and the Caribbean. 1.5 million people were directly affected in Honduras and Guatemala.

Hurricanes Eta and Iota devastate Central America

Update: November 27 - Hurricane Eta/Iota Fundraising Gains Momentum across Canada

Close to $8,500.00 has already been raised as Rotary Clubs and individuals pledge to support the Disaster Aid Canada Relief Project for Honduras and Guatemala. At the regular Club meeting of November 26, the Rotary Club of Ladysmith on Vancouver Island committed $2,500.00.

In Newfoundland a Fundraiser organized by Honduran born Ingred Sierra-Quilty has already raised thousands. Ingrid knows first hand the challenges the people in Honduras face. Now compounded by the hurricanes and tropical storms that have flooded some areas 4 times in the past 2 months and the impact of Covid-19, her people are dealing with the loss of homes, food shortages and infections caused by the polluted waters. Once again the people who have the least are the ones most affected, with no jobs, income support or insurance. Click on "Read More" for the rest of the story

To donate please go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/54353

Maya Norte teams up with Disaster Aid Canada to support Flooded Schools in Melaque

Flooding from Tropical Storm Hernan wreaked devastation in Melaque, Jaluco and surrounding areas on the Pacific side of Mexico.

The owners of the local restaurant Maya Norte, have a special connection to Melaque. Anne Manning and Peg Montgomery owned and operated a restaurant in the area for 14 years and have family members that were born there. These days the owners and family live in Ladysmith but still have strong connections, friends and family in Melaque.

Starting in October Maya Norte will have a specialty Melaque Cocktail and Tapas available. A portion of each sale will be donated to helping Melaque schools get back on their feet.
The Rotary Club of Costalegre, in conjunction with support from Disaster Aid Canada and other Rotary Clubs, is helping people who have been affected by this disaster. Rotarians on the ground have been volunteering their time and donating to various community relief efforts.

Disaster Aid Canada (a project of the Rotary Club of Ladysmith) has connections to the Rotary Club of Costalegre and will work with them to ensure that the donations reach those in the most need.

Disaster Aid Canada held a Garage Sale on October 10 and raised close to $650 for current projects including $250.00 for Melaque. Luckily the rain held off for the morning after a torrential downpour during the night. The rain restarted after the sale so there was clearly divine support for the fundraiser!

If you would like to donate to the Melaque fund please Click Here

Beirut Explosion Relief Project and Appeal

Beirut is facing a state of emergency after two explosions in the city’s port have killed more than 200 people and injured an estimated 5,000 people. Homes have been flattened and up to 300,000 people are now homeless according to Lebanon’s health minister.

Disaster Aid International is working with Rotary World Helps, Rotary Clubs and other NGOs to ensure that help will go where it is most needed. Due to the uncertainty in the area, DAI will not release funds until accountability measures are in place. Disaster Aid Canada will work with Disaster Aid International to ensure we provide the best support for the people of Beirut. - From the Canada Helps website - AFP Photos

Food Aid for the Mayan Villagers in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala

Please Help us Prevent Starvation by Providing Food and other Aid to the Mayan Villagers in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala

UPDATE, July 7, 2020 - The Rotary Club of Poulsbo Washington has donated $2,880.00 Canadian funds to the Guatemalen Relief Program!

UPDATE, June 16, 2020 - Disaster Aid Australia has signed on as a Collaborating Country Partner and have donated $4,500.00 towards the Guatemalan Relief Program!

UPDATE, June 1, 2020 - Disaster Aid UK&I have signed on as a Collaborating Country Partner and have donated $3,500.00 towards the Guatemalan Relief Program!

Donate now at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/49533

Most Mayans are marginal farmers or work at minimal wage for the 22 families that control 80% of the land in Guatemala. Key right now is Covid-19 induced unemployment and lock-down shelter-in-place. Many markets are closed and villagers are unable to shop for food. People are literally starving in their homes.
All supplies to be locally sourced. The Mayan Women’s Groups in San Lucas Toliman and San Antonio Palopo know how and where to obtain and distribute supplies.

The funds raised by this special appeal will be distributed by Disaster Aid Canada with the assistance of Canadian Rotary Clubs (Ladysmith, Chemainus, and Nanaimo) and the Mayan Women’s groups with whom the Rotary Clubs have collaborated for years in local projects. (Click Read More)

Fort McMurray Flood Recovery Project

On April 26th, 2020, amidst a global pandemic, Fort McMurray was struck with a second state of emergency from a one in one hundred year flood that evacuated approximately 1200 buildings out of our downtown core and lower townsite. Individuals and families were evacuated out of apartment buildings by boat and forced to leave their homes, many of which attained significant damage of up to 6 feet of water. Most affected by this situation did not have sufficient insurance coverage for their losses and/or had crippling deductibles hindering use of any insurance.

Disaster Aid Canada approached both the Rotary Club of Fort McMurray and the Rotary Club of Fort McMurray Oilsands to see how they might support any recovery efforts for these people. While both clubs were delighted for the support, the Rotary Club of Fort McMurray Oilsands had the capacity to administer the efforts.

Disaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club Presentations

June 21, 2020

Gerry Beltgens, the Executive Director of Disaster Aid Canada enjoys meeting with Rotary Clubs and Rotarians in person. In March of 2020 he was booked solid with 3 upcoming District Conferences, the International Conference in Hawaii and face to face presentations with another 6 Rotary Clubs. He was planning a trip to Ontario to meet with Clubs in the Greater Toronto Region in late April. That all came to a grinding halt when COVID-19 tore its way into public life.

Rotary Club of Ladysmith Donates Emergency Preparedness Kits to the Town

Rotary Club of Ladysmith Donates Emergency Preparedness Kits to the Town

Sandra Milne, 2019/2020 Rotary Club of Ladysmith President and the LSS Interact Club presented 5 Emergency Preparedness Kits from Disaster Aid Canada to the Mayor Aaron Stone, Fire Chief Chris Geiger and Bill Drysdale from Ladysmith Search and Rescue. The event was held in front of the Fire Hall on Friday June 12.

Disaster Aid Canada has recently moved its operations from Victoria to Ladysmith. Emergency supplies and tents will be stored in Ladysmith as it is an economical, central location with quick access to transportation, airport and ferries. There will be over 100 tents and materials for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Kits stored in Ladysmith for international and domestic relief programs.

Disaster Aid Canada Collects $60,000 for Australian Bush Fires Relief

Disaster Aid Canada Collects $60,000.00 for Australian Bushfire Relief

Gerry Beltgens, Executive Director, Disaster Aid Canada

Disaster Aid Canada (DAC) has received more than $60,000.00 Canadian in donations from across Canada for Australian Bushfire Relief. On Friday, February 7th we made a wire transfer to Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS) at the RBC Branch in Ladysmith. In the photo are Sabrina Morgan, Administration, Sandra Milne, Rotary Club of Ladysmith President, Frank Elsom, DAC President, Jake Buinewood, DAC Director and Gerry Beltgens, DAC Executive Director.

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Rebuilding Communities... Together

Help Provide Urgent Aid to Ukrainians.

Update on Ukraine - March 11

The Island of Dinagat was hit by a historical Typhoon

BC Was Hit With a Devastating Storm

BC Storms Emergency Support Update January 2022:

Rio Blanco Water System Reconstruction Project

Haiti Was Hit by Another Catastrophic Earthquake!

BC is on fire and declares a State of Emergency

BC Wildfire Update January 2022:

It is like a War Zone in the Hospitals

UPDATE - Nutritional Supplements for Severely Malnourished Children in Guatemala

Update on Honduras and Guatemala

Developing a Path Forward - Disaster Aid Canada Forms Disaster Aid Regional Collaborative

Disaster Aid Canada Progress Report on Guatemala and Honduras

Update: November 27 - Hurricane Eta/Iota Fundraising Gains Momentum across Canada

Maya Norte teams up with Disaster Aid Canada to support Flooded Schools in Melaque

Beirut Explosion Relief Project and Appeal

Please Help us Prevent Starvation by Providing Food and other Aid to the Mayan Villagers in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala

Fort McMurray Flood Recovery Project

Disaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club Presentations

June 21, 2020

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