Posted on May 28, 2022
Thanks to the generosity of Rotary donors in Canada, who have contributed CDN$1 million so far, and around the world, more than US$15 million, to the Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund for Ukraine, the funds have been helping provide people with essential items such as water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
 
So far, 104 disaster response grants totaling $3.0 million have been awarded to support people affected by the war. The Rotary Foundation will continue to use the donations for humanitarian aid in and around Ukraine, and districts can apply for these grants until 30 June 2022.
 
Rotary District 5040 has raised US$148,500, including a District Designated Fund allocation of US$25,000 for the Disaster Response Fund. An expected matching donation should push this total close to US$165,000.  
 
"In addition," says District Governor Lorne Calder, "our District has donated close to $40,000 to Shelter Box Canada and I'm aware of many clubs still raising dollars to sponsor a shelter box or two and expect this to top the $50,000 mark. Some clubs raised dollars for the Red Cross and can still donate funds to Disaster Aid Canada which is working with a Disaster Aid group in Europe to deliver critical goods and support to Ukrainians." 
 
District 5040, particularly the Rotary Club of Vancouver, along with six other Districts, sponsored the first Rotary club in Kyiv, Ukraine 30 years ago, in 1992.  There are now 62 Rotary Clubs in the Ukraine.  
 
Lorne adds, "I, along with Stuart Bird of the RC of Vancouver, have had the pleasure of meeting every two weeks with our Ukrainian friends and other sponsoring districts to see how we can help.  We listen to their needs and have had success in getting medical supplies and other needs to the Ukraine.  We have been working on the purchase of several fire trucks and ambulances by getting multiple districts from around Canada, USA and Scotland to apply for a Disaster Response Fund.  Once these critical pieces of equipment have been purchased, District 5040 will be applying for a grant to assist those families that are arriving in Canada."  
 
alternative link to video
 
While visiting Poland, Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta consoles a Rotary member from Ukraine as she narrates stories about her war-torn country. -- Rotary magazine, June 2022
 
Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation stand with the United Nations General Assembly in "expressing grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, particularly at the reports of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation."
 
As a global humanitarian organization, Rotary takes a proactive stance toward peacemaking by addressing the underlying causes of conflict.
 
We support recent UN General Assembly resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine. This aligns with Rotary’s deep commitment to promoting peace through dialogue and conflict resolution.
 
We are working beside our partners in the international relief community to help provide resources to the more than 10 million Ukrainian refugees forced to flee the field of battle.
 
Rotary Disaster Response Grants:  The Rotary Foundation supports disaster relief and recovery efforts through grants from the Rotary Disaster Response Fund.
 
Documents used by Districts in applying for Disaster Relief through Rotary:
• Disaster response application;
• OFAC Review Checklist;
• Disaster Response report.