(openPR) - Rotary, one of the largest humanitarian service organizations in the world www.rotary.org, is raising funds and distributing life-saving shelter and supplies to victims of the earthquake-generated tsunami that recently struck the Mentawai islands off Sumatra, and to those displaced from the Mount Merapi volcano eruptions in central Java.

“Our team is working day and night to dispense basic needs including food, drinking water, medicines, and facemasks as initial relief to the volcano,” said Aloysius Purwa, a member of Bali Kuta Rotary Club who is spearheading the relief efforts.

Among the first international relief to reach earthquake-generated tsunami victims was ShelterBox www.shelterbox.org, a U.K.-based disaster response organization supported by Rotary clubs worldwide. Each ShelterBox supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced. “ShelterBox Response Teams have distributed 400 ShelterBoxes so far, with more on the way,” said Purwa. “Rotary members have started to raise funds to help transport up to 1,000 more.”

“As an integral part of communities in more than 200 countries and geographical regions, including 89 clubs and 1,575 members in Indonesia, the experience and knowledge of local Rotary clubs is essential in ensuring that resources are used for projects and programs that address true community needs,” said Purwa. “Rotary club members from Jakarta are helping the government to communicate with ShelterBox Response Teams, so that the teams can deliver the boxes in time and efficiently.”

In response to these disasters, Indonesian Rotary clubs have established the Disaster Relief Fund to support immediate humanitarian assistance. Donations can be made to: Disaster Relief Fund, Bank Mandiri Cab, Pondok Pinang Center, Jakarta, Indonesia, or by wire transfer. Rotary clubs in the region, including Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore have also established a Disaster Relief Committee to raise funds to help the people affected by the twin disasters.

To support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas, Rotary clubs have established the Merapi Rotary Aids 2010 fund at Bank Central Asia. Donations can be sent directly, or through the Rotary clubs in the Yogyakarta area.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Learn more at rotary.org
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Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. It is comprised of 1.2 million members working in over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary members initiate community projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as poverty, disease and illiteracy.

Kiki Melonides
Media Relations
Rotary International
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL, 60201-3698
USA