Garry Dennison speaker Tuesday the 26th of November
Garry’s talk was entitled: ‘Rotary NZ World community service projects, especially the distribution of ERK’s’.
(Information from Garry and a RNZWCS brochure)
For over 45 years New Zealand’s Emergency Response Kits have been providing immediate relief to our pacific island neighbours in times of cyclone, devastating floods, tsunami or earthquake through the efforts of Rotary volunteers and supporters.
Each year Rotary NZ volunteers buy the stock and assemble hundreds of kits which are then pre-positioned throughout the pacific. Rotary NZ Limited manages the process. Since 2009, a total of 10,886 ERK’s have been purchased at a cost of NZ$ 600 each, responding to eighteen devastating cyclones and flooding and one tsunami. Prepositioned stock is stored in Auckland, Fiji (Suva, Lautoka and Labasa), Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu (Port Villa and Santo).
Each kit contains more than 60 essential items for a family in an emergency situation. Included are two weatherproof tarpaulins for temporary shelter, a hammer and nails and a folding shovel. No food is included but a fishing tackle is and a hunting knife, a machete, a cooking grate, a pot, bowls, cups and plates and other kitchen essentials. Cleaning implements and products are also included.
Other items include: clothing for men and women, boys and girls, linen and towels. A medical pack including pain tablets, soap, tooth brushes and tooth paste, antiseptic cream, bandages and water purification tablets, gumboots and a wind-up rechargeable torch. A birthing kit is also included and the empty container will hold 78 litres of water
RNZWCS Limited (a registered charity) engages and collaborates with National Disaster Management Organisations that coordinate relief efforts in each country to ensure that the ERK’s are distributed to those most in need.
The Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) not only distributes Rotary Emergency Response Kits (ERK’s) throughout the south pacific islands, but helps with project work in other countries such as Africa (see below).
VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN TANZANIA
The RNZWCS focus is always on supporting the most vulnerable and ‘Laketatu’ in Usa River is a perfect example. Laketatu a live-in Youth Training Centre is being constructed to support up to 140 homeless children and youth offering them a home, vocational training and physical and emotional support.
The project is also designed to support local women to grow vegetable and grain crops and raise livestock, providing them with incomes to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.
A most interesting and informative talk!
.png)
