How can Rotary provide International Aid to those in need?

Global Connection

Installing a tank in a local school typifies a local project that we have undertaken. Support of a global project such as eliminating Polio is at the other end of the scale.
System management and project delivery also offer members opportunities to occupy opposite ends of the contribution scale.

Global Delivery - Shelter Boxes

Shelter Boxes are a great example of a global Rotary contribution to disasters that destroy the accomodation of communities. The shelter box is delivered as a container the size of large ice chest and is packed with a tent, blankets, a cooker and basic equipment to prepare and serve food and tools to deal with local materials.

Measured in Australian dollars a Shelter Box costs $1200 and typically several hundred are sent every week from a source country to another to deal with a natural disaster in the receivng country. Australian Rotary clubs contribute generously to the world supply and the the available collection is kept centrally ready for delivery to a destination in need.

Following is a selective list of recent deliveries:

Thursday 14 May, PHILIPPINES: One hundred ShelterBoxes are being despatched to the Philippines to give shelter to people affected by typhoons

Wednesday 13 May, SRI LANKA: 224 follow the original 448 ShelterBoxes are being distributed to vulnerable IDPs with special needs who have escaped the fighting in the area.

Tuesday 28 April, NAMIBIA: A second delivery of 170 follows the 200 Shelter Box deployment to Namibia following flooding.

Of particular significance is:

Thursday 12th February - AUSTRALIA: 50 ShelterBoxes were delivered to the fire-ravaged Whittlesea area yesterday.

Global Management - Rotary Foundation
Rotary continues to develop its organisational structure to supply the most effective global contribution available from its international resources. The following global approach will be introduced in July identified by the name Rotary Foundation.
The Foundation will offer two types of grants:
1) Rotary Foundation District Grants are block grants made to districts to support smaller projects, both locally and internationally. Districts may use up to 50 percent of their available District Designated Fund (DDF) for these grants in a given Rotary year and administers the grant without the Foundation’s involvement.
2) Rotary Foundation Global Grants support larger projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in one of the six areas of focus. These grants would be administered by the Foundation in a manner similar to the current system.
There are six areas of focus for Rotary Foundation Global Grants:

• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution

• Disease prevention and treatment

• Water and sanitation

• Maternal and child health

• Basic education and literacy

• Economic and community development

Why are these changes being made?
It has long been the wish of The Rotary Foundation Trustees to simplify the Foundation’s programs and allow more resources to meet donors’ expectations. The Future Vision Plan and these changes are intended to simplify the recognition program and, therefore, make the Foundation a more efficient, timely, and cost-effective steward of the gifts of many Rotarian and non-Rotarian donors.