Rotary Africa Mobilizes Support For Morocco Earthquake Relief Efforts
By Rotary International Zone 22 (Africa) Media Committee
Rotary International Zone 22 (Africa) stands in solidarity with the people of Morocco as we witnessed the unprecedented devastation caused by a catastrophic earthquake. Our hearts go out to the affected families, and we mourn the tragic loss of lives.
While the 5th All Africa Zone 22 Institute was ongoing in Lusaka on September 8, and with members from across Africa in attendance, we received the distressing news of this earthquake, and our immediate response was to offer support and comfort to those affected. Rotary clubs in Europe and Africa including in Morocco, have raised funds and mobilized material support for the relief efforts.
An initial $25,000 was approved by the Rotary Foundation to immediately go to the disaster relief efforts and more grants are being developed. Our partner organisation, Shelter Box and others have supported in raising support for shelter and related needs of affected individuals. At that time, the death toll had already reached 800, and we now learn with heavy hearts that it has surpassed 2,800, with the number rising.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco, particularly our fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and their families who have endured immense suffering. We also wish a swift recovery to all those injured in this calamity.
In our commitment to making a difference in times of crisis, Rotary International is actively engaged in providing assistance and support to the relief efforts in Morocco. To this end, we have established direct communication channels for Rotary Districts willing to mobilize support in any form. Clubs Districts can contact District Governor Saadia Aglif on +212 661 135750 for further information on how they can contribute to the relief efforts directly in Morocco.
Rotary International Director for Africa, Patrick Chisanga urges everyone to come together in this time of crisis and demonstrate the true spirit of Rotary by providing much-needed relief and support to the people of Morocco.
“We believe that our collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this tragedy,’’ he said. “The expertise of Rotarians and Rotaractors across Africa, will be available and essential in assisting clubs in Morocco respond effectively to the needs of their communities.
The Rotary International Director pledged the support of all regional and zone coordinators’ in grants and projects development to support the clubs in Morocco during this crisis.
Rotary Zone 22 encompasses all 18 Districts and all clubs in all countries across Africa. It is an administrative component of Rotary International.
Disaster response grants are available to District 9010 to support communities affected by the Moroccan earthquake. The district governor and district Rotary Foundation chair of District 9010 need to complete the disaster response grant application, available on the Grant Center landing page. The maximum grant amount is $50,000, based on the availability of funds, and the district may have two open grants at a time.
The Rotary Foundation Trustees have set up the Morocco Earthquake Response Fund, a dedicated fund to provide immediate relief to those affected by the earthquake. Donors can contribute directly to this fund to aid in the ongoing relief efforts.
Contributions to this fund will be accepted until December 31, 2023. Districts are encouraged to apply for grants from this fund until September 21, 2024 or until the funds have been fully allocated. Any remaining contributions after September 21, 2024 will be directed to the general Disaster Response Fund, which supports disaster relief efforts worldwide.
How to Contribute:
• Rotarians can give online, by check, or by transferring District Designated Funds through https://my.rotary.org/disaster-response-fund
• To give by check, make it payable to The Rotary Foundation or an associate foundation, and include a completed contribution form. In the DESIGNATION/PURPOSE section, choose “Other” and write the fund name (Morocco Earthquake Response Fund).
• To allocate District Designated Funds, district leaders can use the DDF contribution form.
• We also call upon individuals and organizations to join us in raising funds to support the Morocco Earthquake Response Fund. You can start a fundraiser on Raise for Rotary, a platform that currently accepts 12 currencies. Contributions made through fundraisers for this fund on Raise for Rotary will be credited and recognized and acknowledged as described on the Rotary website.
