Local Rotarians are faced with challenges, providing help for thousands displaced by the four hurricanes which caused massive flooding in Haiti within a span of a month. The United Nations has estimated that as many as 600,000 people are in need of help because of the storms, which have killed more than 200 people.

Speaking last Thursday at a Rotarian press briefing at the Moorings, District Governor Rupert Ross Jr. of St. Croix disclosed that the district is working with Red Cross, local NGO’s , and local Rotary clubs to identify the most urgent needs. The first step has been to provide over $300,000 to purchase supplies for the most needy.

“We have received funding from the Eastern District which comprises of eighteen clubs including the British and US Virgin Islands and all across America are contributing to the fund which helps to provide blankets, medication and food supply. As a Rotarian I am extremely pleased”, he added.

The distribution of food supply assisted by the Haitian Task Force, which was formed a year ago to administer to all Rotarian financial aid to the country, the Rotarians was dampened when they came under heavy gunfire during a food riot.

“There are issues with movement of materials and security, the challenge is to get supplies to the people. In order to move items secured across the country sides we have to pay to airlift food items. Every day we are faced with different challenges,” DG Ross noted.

Ross mentioned that despite the challenges Rotarians are there to make sure that the people get the supply they need and they will be there as long as it takes putting up tents and helping in whatever way they can.

“The people I trust most in this world are Rotarians, they are there to get supply in the hands of the people and that is the greatest challenge. They are doing a significant work and having vibrant interactions and I look forward to greater things,” he lamented.

In commending his fellow Rotarians in the British virgin Island, Ross said that the Territory has the largest number of Rotarians, which is a great achievement and encourages more young people to become involved.

Turks and Caicos Islands were also funded by Rotarians who assisted with relief efforts.

The Rotarians has established a phone network via satellite which is used to communicate effectively during and after a disaster.

“We are trying to connect the dots, when a disaster occurs we are among the first to arrive and the last to leave, as in some cases we never leave,” Ross concluded.

President of Road Town Rotary club, Stephanie Benn and Assistant District Governor Vance Lewis also sat on the panel.

Rotary is a worldwide organisation of more than 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders providing humanitarian service and encouraging high ethnical standards in all vocations.

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