DAC Stories
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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Join the Disaster Aid Canada-Wide Garage Sale

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:

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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)

 
 
 
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Fort McMurray Flood Recovery Project
 

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.  

 

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Disaster Aid Canada Pivots to Online Club Presentations

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.
 
 
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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.
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Fort McMurray Flooding Relief Fund

Fort McMurray Flooding Relief Fund

The Fort McMurray 2020 Flooding Relief Fund has now been set up. We are working with Rotary District 5370 and the two Rotary Clubs in Fort McMurray along with community organisations to ensure that relief funds are used in the community for victims of this disaster.
 
 
Come Hell or High Water - Fort McMurray is resilient!
Fort McMurray has seen it's share of Disasters in the past 4 years. In 2016 they were devastated by the forest fires that destroyed 3,244 buildings and did cost 13.3 billion Canadian Dollars. The decline of the oil industry has been devastating on local jobs and businesses and the Corona Virus has closed more businesses and now the Athabasca has a 13 kilometre Ice dam that has inundated the city damaging 1,300 buildings and forcing the evacuation of more than 13,000 people.

But you can help - Disaster Aid Canada is working with Rotary Clubs and Community Organisations to bring relief
 
 
 
 
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Rotary and Emergency Preparedness 

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

While it is hard to not go out, not to be able to visit or shop; there are still things you can do. How about helping your community prepare for the next Natural Disaster?
 
Rotary Clubs and other organisations can help communities with their emergency preparedness programs. For Rotary Clubs it is often possible to access District Grants and Community Gaming Grants. Other organisations may be able to receive gaming grants or have access to other sources. If you are interested in working with Disaster Aid Canada to support Emergency Preparedness in your community you can reach us at info@disasteraid.ca.
 
 
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