May 2025 Update on Efforts in Myanmar and Thailand:

Donations have just been sent to our Disaster Aid International partners, Disaster Aid Thailand, with support from Disaster Aid Australia. Funds will support earthquake victims in Mandalay and Sagaing, Myanmar. These funds were made possible by members of The Rotary Club of Woodstock-Oxford, who saw the opportunity to double the impact of their donation with our 20/20 matching campaign, turning a $20,000 donation into $40,000.

Our 20/20 campaign was in honor of Our 20/20 campaign marked Disaster Aid Canada's two decades of providing essential humanitarian relief and aid to communities both locally and globally. In honor of this significant milestone, Disaster Aid Canada began a special initiative in partnership with the family of the late Jake Bruinewoud, a cherished member of Rotary and an esteemed board member of Disaster Aid Canada. In a heartfelt gesture, the Bruinewoud family pledged $20,000 to match every donation made to Disaster Aid Canada, including this donation from the RC Woodstock-Oxford.

Thank you to all the donors and supporters of these campaigns. Though the 20/20 campaign is now closed, your donations can still make a difference. Please donate.

Urgent Appeal: Help Us Rebuild Lives After Devastating Earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Myanmar and Thailand, thousands of families have been left homeless, struggling to survive without access to clean water, food, or medical care. Entire communities have been reduced to rubble, with homes, schools, and essential infrastructure destroyed. The need for immediate assistance is urgent.

At Disaster Aid Canada, we are committed to bringing relief and hope to those affected, but we can’t do it without your help.

Your donation will allow us to: Provide emergency supplies—food, water, blankets, and essential household items—to families in crisis. Support long-term recovery by supplying materials to rebuild homes and restore communities. Work with local Disaster Aid International partners such as Disaster Aid Thailand to ensure aid reaches those who need it most, as quickly as possible.

Rebuilding lives takes time, but with your generosity, we can help these communities recover and become more resilient in the face of future disasters. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Please consider donating today. Together, we can bring hope, relief, and a path to recovery for those who have lost everything.

PLEASE DONATE. Donate now and help us make an impact.

California Wildfire Support

The wildfires currently devastating Los Angeles and surrounding areas have caused an immeasurable loss of life and property. With the fires still barely contained and continuing to spread by wind, communities are facing overwhelming destruction and heartbreak.

Disaster Aid Canada is in touch with our Rotary and Disaster Aid International  partners and will support the efforts they’re making in the area to provide aid to those affected during this critical time. The funds received will go to support Rotary District 5280 and their charitable foundation specific to resources and aid following these fires.

We will continue to monitor the campaign initiatives in the area and update our donors on the impact of their generous donations.

Your contribution can make a significant difference to those in need in California affected by this tragedy. Thank you for your support.

UPDATE October 2023:

The aftermath of the summer wildfires in Lahaina and upcountry Maui will be felt for a long time. Our project partner, Disaster Aid USA, deployed their Lead DART director to Maui to assess projects for support. His report shared so much continued need in the area and our teams are getting to work to put your donation funds into the hands of those that need it most. The people there are in need of all the love and help they can get because this is a long-term problem. 

The first of the supported projects is to help a local service group fill in the gaps where government agencies aren’t by providing school supplies and temporary schools to kids affected by the fire. They provide community events to lift the kids' spirits such as family movie nights and they will be hosting a Thanksgiving celebration. Kids are some of the most emotionally hard hit by the realities of the fire. Money donated will continue to support much-needed school support as well as councilors to assist folks with mental health issues. 

Another supported project is focusing on providing financial assistance to those who have lost jobs and homes in the fire, so far they have provided assistance to 900 families. In addition, they have been operating a food bank that is providing not only food but other necessities. Most of the people they are serving are either not insured or underinsured and are having difficulty getting assistance to clear debris from their property. The next step is for Disaster Aid USA to provide a Disaster Aid trailer to help with debris removal and tool access and to help coordinate more volunteers to clean up.

We will continue to provide updates on the work your support is funding in Maui. Thank you for all that you help us do.

Please continue to support these people as they rebuild. PLEASE DONATE so we can help those in need with vital aid and resources.

Disaster Aid Canada has been in touch with our partners in Maui and with Disaster Aid USA in order to assess the situation and the up-to-date needs of those directly affected by the fires. The needs of the region of Lahaina are such that getting aid to the people is challenging and that's why we rely on our qualified contacts at Disaster Aid USA, trained in SmartAid disaster relief to be able to relay the needs our way.

Flood Relief for Nigeria

Help Provide Generators to Ukrainians

Ukraine's humanitarian crisis that began almost a year ago continues to wreak havoc on the region. The need for support is ongoing. 

We are updating our supporters this January 2023 to inform you of a new fundraising focus to support the victims of the Russian attack on Ukraine's electrical infrastructure.

Last year, thanks to your generosity, Disaster Aid Canada AC was able to send 50 Family Survival tents and 300 water purification units to Ukraine. Now, as the invasion there progresses, there are millions of people who are currently without power and are facing harsh winter conditions without heat or light. Imagine your home going without power for a few hours; or maybe for a couple of days. Some of these people have had no power for MONTHS. Their situation is becoming more dire by the day.

Our next goal is to raise enough money to purchase 25 gas-powered electrical generators for distribution in Ukraine. These generators will provide a vital source of energy, allowing people to heat and light their rooms.

In order to reduce shipping costs, the generators will be purchased in Europe. Reliable, well-established shipping and distribution contacts will allow us to deliver the generators directly to those in need. Our Disaster Aid International partners in Prague,  DA Europe, will coordinate the delivery to a Rotary Club in Ukraine for local distribution. 

Your support is vital in helping us provide essential aid to those affected by this disaster. Please consider making a donation today to help bring warmth and light to those suffering in the dark.

We are deeply thankful for your continued support, and we urge you to give as generously as you can. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this crisis. Many thanks to those that continue to donate to this appeal. Please Donate.

Help Provide Flood Relief for Pakistan 

Help Provide Urgent Aid to Ukrainians.

Campaign Updates - Read More

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

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.

UPDATE - Nutritional Supplements for Severely Malnourished Children in Guatemala

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. 

Update on Honduras and Guatemala

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

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

Join the Disaster Aid Canada-Wide Garage Sale - Clear out your old stuff and get a tax receipt!

Disaster Aid Canada has been impacted by the Pandemic. As World Wide Crises have increased, donations to nonprofits have dropped off. Our reserves are being stretched and there is no reduction in the need for Disaster Relief.

We needed to find a way for our supporters to continue to help without adding to their financial strain. Here is our idea:

Beirut Explosion Relief Project and Appeal

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

 

Disaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club Presentations

June 21, 2020

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

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

Disaster Aid Canada and the Rotary Club of Ladysmith Support Community Emergency Preparedness

Our Mission

To provide on a worldwide basis, humanitarian relief and aid in the form of equipment and materials that provide shelter, warmth and comfort to people displaced by natural or other disasters