Stories
Since last fall, severe floods in Nigeria have caused the deaths of over 600 people and displaced 1.3 million from their homes. The region has experienced the most devastating episode of seasonal floods in a decade. Our Rotary Club partners in the affected Niger Delta region of Nigeria and Alberta, Canada, have joined together to send help for the ongoing effects of these unprecedented floods. We will keep our donors updated as we hear more from our contacts in and near the area. Thank you for your support. Every donation makes a difference, consider a donation today. Click here to DONATE |
Türkiye & Syria Earthquake Appeal
Update Feb 15: The losses are unimaginable as we continue to hear back from teams in Turkey and Syria. The reported much-needed items are warm clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. Our partners Disaster Aid Europe have purchased items and delivered them to the Turkish Embassy in Prague. The first cargo plane of goods went out last Thursday and another on Saturday. They will continue to take items there and more when funds are received to make purchases. Thank you for your ongoing support. Update Feb 9th: The Earthquake toll climbs to over 15,000 people, as the search teams battle conditions to find survivors. The WHO estimates over 23 million people are affected over multiple regions. Volunteers and aid have been pouring into the areas but they have an upward battle as buildings continue to crumble and temperatures plummet. Thank you for your donations. Feb 6th: A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit at 4:18 am, followed by 7.5 and 6 magnitude aftershocks within hours. There have been over 100 aftershocks felt by millions over multiple regions. The quake has claimed over 3,000 lives and injured thousands more. Buildings are still collapsing all around while people continue to search for loved ones. Disaster Aid Canada is collecting funds to support those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We’re working with our Disaster Aid International partners as they assess the relief effort and to help place the support in the hands of those that need it most. Disaster Aid Europe is closely monitoring the situation in Turkey, as aftershocks continue to devastate the area. The evaluation of need is ongoing and Disaster Aid Canada will continue to update our donors as we receive reports from the region. Please consider donating to help provide emergency relief. CLICK HERE TO DONATE |
Update on Ukraine
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Hurricane Fiona SupportHurricane Fiona Support in Canada
After battering Bermuda with heavy rain, strong winds, and massive waves, Hurricane Fiona took aim at northeastern Canada, one of the strongest storms on record for the region. Fiona, a Category 4 hurricane, ripped through northeastern Canada, producing significant coastal flooding and damaging hurricane-force wind gusts and dangerous storm surges. They continue to deal with widespread power outages. Disaster Aid Canada is in touch with our Rotary contacts in the area to provide support to those most in need. We will continue to update our donors as we get more details on the relief efforts in the area. Thank you for your donation support for Atlantic Canada. Please click here to donate. |
Flood Relief for PakistanHelp Provide Flood Relief for PakistanHeavy monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in Pakistan, affecting 33 million people and causing hundreds of thousands to be displaced from their homes. Disaster Aid Canada is reaching out to our network of supporters to gather humanitarian aid and send help to those who need it most. We are working with Disaster Aid USA to get much-needed support to the area. With flooding lasting since June, the area has not been able to recover, and now the threat of disease and famine will affect thousands more lives. Major roads, buildings, and infrastructure has been taken out by flash floods. Those that have escaped to dry land will still have the challenge of accessing clean drinking water, food, and shelter. We must scale up our aid and provide urgent support for Pakistan. We will keep our donors updated as we hear more from our contacts in and near the area. Thank you for your support.
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Ukraine Humanitarian Aid
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Update on BC Storms![]() 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 |
Update from BC Wildfires
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Typhoon Odette (Rai) Support - Philippines
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BC Storm Emergency Support
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Rio Blanco Water System Reconstruction ProjectRio Blanco Water System Reconstruction ProjectBy 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. ![]() 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. |
Haiti Earthquake Emergency Support
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BC Wildfires Emergency Support
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Oxygen for India
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Nutritional Supplements for Severely Malnourished Children in Guatemala
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DAC and Rotary Clubs Restore Water to Honduran VillageDisast ![]() 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
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Hurricanes Eta and Iota devastate Central America
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Maya Norte teams up with Disaster Aid Canada to support Flooded Schools in Melaque![]() 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 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 |
Join the Disaster Aid Canada-Wide Garage Sale
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Beirut Explosion Relief Project and Appeal
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Fort McMurray Flood Recovery Project
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Disaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club PresentationsDisaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club PresentationsJune 21, 2020Gerry 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![]() 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. |
Food Aid for the Mayan Villagers in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala
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Fort McMurray Flooding Relief Fund
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Rotary and Emergency Preparedness
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Disaster Aid Canada Collects $60,000 for Australian Bush Fires Relief![]() Gerry Beltgens, Executive Director, Disaster Aid Canada |
Puerto Rico Earthquakes![]() |
2020 Australian Bushfires Appeal![]() ![]() UPDATE: As of January 13, 2020 we have raised over $40,000.00 for the Bushfire Relief Fund!
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Donors Make Bahamas Support PossibleAmong all of the wonderful donors who have supported the relief efforts in the Bahamas there have also been several major gifts in of $1,000.00 and more from Major Donors. Along with anonymous donations of $2,500.00, $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 there were over a dozen donations of $1,000.00 including the Mark Isfeld Interact Club of Courtney B.C. ![]() I would like to thank all of the people who made such generous donations no matter how large the amount. Your donations have made the lives of the victims of Hurricane Dorian a little more tolerable in a challenging time. Gerry Beltgens, Executive Director Disaster Aid Canada
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Interact Club donates $1,000.00 to help with Bahamas Relief![]() Courtney Interact Club donates $1,000.00 to help with Bahamas Relief Email provided by School Counsellor Debra Long I thought I would include the mission statement of our Interact Club. "The Mark Isfeld Interact Club empowers youth to create change within our local and global communities. We are dedicate to improving educational opportunities and the well-being of young people. We put the act in Interact." |
DA Australia - Multiple Earthquakes Shake Mindanao![]() A 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake hit the Southern Philippine Island of Mindanao on the evening of the 16th October. Several severe aftershocks and hundreds of smaller shocks have also shaken the island over the following days. The epicenter was between Makilala and Tulunan, North Cotabato. In the surrounding area thousands of families have had to be evacuated from damaged and destroyed homes. Hospitals, schools and other public building have also been severely damaged. Disaster Aid Australia is providing financial support to our local partner, the Balay Mindanao Peace Foundation as they work to help families whose homes have been lost, or severely damaged. Disaster Aid Canada is in contact with DA Australia to see if we can help. Donations can be made through Disaster Aid Australia - https://www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au/donate/ and specify Mindanao |
Disaster Aid Canada and the 2019 Bahamas Relief Effort![]() When the call came from the Bahamas to send aid, Disaster Aid Canada sent 101 tents, 300 bed packs and over 15,000 hygiene items, virtually clearing out our inventory. To stay ahead of the next disaster we need to restock supplies. Money raised now pays to replace the inventory that was sent to the Bahamas and helps prepare us for the next emergency. |
DAI - Collaborative Organization of Rotary International![]() 15th October 2019 For Immediate Release Disaster Aid International (DAI) is Now an Official Collaborative Organization of Rotary International Today we are proud to announce DAI has achieved official Collaborative Organization status with Rotary International marking a major milestone in the journey of Disaster Aid International country partners around the world. (https://www.rotary.org/en/collaborating-organizations) |
Important Announcement - Transition![]() |
Disaster Aid Canada - About UsOur MissionTo 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 |
India celebrates three years without polio![]() The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio. |
Helping people with disabilities make their own music![]() Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school. |