DAC Stories
BC Wildfires Emergency Support
DAC bc wildfires emergency response wildfires

BC Wildfire - twitterBC 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

 
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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
 
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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.
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DAC and Rotary Clubs Restore Water to Honduran Village
Disaster 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.
 
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Update on Honduras and Guatemala

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:

 

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.

 
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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

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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

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 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
 
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