Haiti!
Lions Hope for Haiti
The Lions Clubs in the Dominican Republic have driven across into Haiti with water and food.
They have also taken tents donated by the Lions of Sweden and established a "Tent City"
Despite losing some of their own members as well as family members the Lions of Haiti have continued to assist with the distribution of food and water.
They have been working in other locations away from the capital Port-au-Prince, as there is devastation across the whole country.
Now the aim of the Lions is to raise funds for the recovery of the society in Haiti Like other previous disasters, Lions are not only committed to meeting the immediate needs of the people, but will be working through the Lions in the region to provide relief for years to come.
After other relief organisations have moved out of the area, Lions will still be on the ground, overseeing long-term reconstruction projects.
Similar to previous disasters, Lions will be discussing the possibility of rebuilding homes and hospitals, redeveloping the eye care delivery system, providing human resource support, and assisting the disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster, as well as being able to heal so many shattered and broken hearts.
Woman Sees Haiti Suffering First Hand Lions Disaster Relief Efforts in Haiti
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A 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, with a massive aftershock on January 19. Following the devastating earthquake, Lions around the world responded generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster.
Lions Hope for Haiti has mobilized more than US$500,000 to date. Lions Hope for Haiti is Lions and LCIF working together to provide relief and hope for the people of Haiti. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts.
LCIF is working directly with Lions of Haiti as well as Lions in neighboring countries to assess the immediate needs and also develop a long-term reconstruction plan.
Donate online at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/supporting-our-work/make-a-donation/lions-lcif-online-donation.php. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.
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Special Message from President Wirfs on Lions Haiti Relief Efforts
Dear Lions of the World,
It is with great sadness that the world's attention is focused on the devastating earthquakes in Haiti that left 1.5 million homeless, up to 200,000 dead, and countless injured and traumatized. It will take years for the country to fully recover, but we know that Lions will be there every step of the way.
Just like Lions have done with the South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the Sichuan earthquake in China and other calamities, Lions and LCIF will be there for the both the short- and long-term - providing immediate aid now but also working to rebuild communities, to restore hope and to support those affected for as long as it takes.
If there is one thing that makes Lions unique from other service agencies, it's that we commit for the long term and we work within the affected communities - through our local Lions -- to rebuild for a better tomorrow. The Haitian Lions are our brothers and sisters, members of our international family, and we will never let them down.
As you are likely aware, Lions have already moved swiftly to provide immediate assistance despite the coordination challenges. Lions relief tents are being shipped from Sweden; Lions from Canada on a mission in Haiti during the quake gave first aid assistance during the first hours and days; and Lions in the Caribbean area are sending aid over land and by sea. Additionally, a coordinating committee of Lions in Haiti, Dominican Republic and nearby countries are actively planning for the next steps, and our foundation chairperson, Al Brandel, immediate past international president, will be traveling there to meet with them beginning tomorrow.
Naturally, the response by Lions to LCIF's Lions Hope for Haiti donation appeal has been tremendous. Within days, we have already mobilized more than US$350,000. By the time you receive this email, I am sure it will be even much, much more. But we'll need millions more if we are to help the country rebuild, to provide homes for the homeless, to rebuild schools for the children, to rehabilitate those left disabled, and to help heal so many shattered and broken hearts. So please donate what you can.
Lastly, I am extremely saddened to report that two of our Haitian Lions -- our family -- have perished and other Lions may have lost family members. On behalf of Lions the world over and members of our international board, we offer our sincere, heartfelt condolences and sympathies to our Lions family who have suffered such personal losses.
To our Lions family in Haiti, I commit to you that the Lions of the world will be there for you today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, the year after that - and again for as long as it takes.
There will be more updates from LCIF Chairperson Brandel in the days to come. Meanwhile read the latest LCIF update on Haiti, including information on how you can make a personal online donation. I thank you all ahead of time for any further assistance you can provide.
With sympathies,
Eberhard J. Wirfs International President
Donate online at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/supporting-our-work/make-a-donation/lions-lcif-online-donation.php. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.
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Lions Clubs International Foundation Providing Relief for Haiti
19th January 2010
Lions Hope for Haiti has mobilized over US$325,000, to date. Following the devastating earthquake, Lions around the world responded generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts.
LCIF is working directly with Lions of Haiti as well as Lions in neighboring countries to assess the immediate needs and also develop a long-term reconstruction plan. LCIF Chairperson Al Brandel and his wife Dr. Maureen Murphy will be traveling to the Dominican Republic in the next few days to lead a team delivering urgently needed supplies into Haiti.
Lions around the world are also assisting:
•Lions in neighboring Caribbean countries are sending cargo containers of targeted supplies through connections with transportation companies.
•Lions in Sweden are sending large tents through the Swedish government to provide housing for those who are now homeless as well as relief workers, as they did for the China earthquake.
•Lions from District A-9, Ontario, Canada were in the area when the earthquake hit, helping to establish a clean water system for an orphanage, and established a make-shift medical clinic, treating 600 people.
•Lions are contributing generously, some examples include: US$86,000 pledged from Lions in Norway; US$20,000 from Lions in China; US$14,000 from District 105-I.
Like other previous disasters, LCIF is not only committed to meeting the immediate needs of the people, but will be working through the Lions in the region to provide relief for years to come. As an example, LCIF is still helping those in South Asia recover from the December 2005 tsunami, Gulf States recover from Hurricane Katrina in August 2006 and China to rebuild following the May 2008 earthquake. After other relief organizations have moved on to the next disaster, Lions will still be on the ground, overseeing long-term reconstruction projects.
Similar to other disasters, Lions hope to rebuild homes and hospitals, redevelop the eye care delivery system, human resource support and provide help for disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster.
Click on the link below to see a video showing the devastation and heartache that has been caused in the area.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DXfo2YKY04&NR=1
Donate online at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/supporting-our-work/make-a-donation/lions-lcif-online-donation.php. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.
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17th January 2010
Lions members in the area are mobilizing, and Lions within the Dominican Republic are collecting goods as well as using LCIF funding to purchase relief supplies, such as water, food, medicine and other essential needs, which they will be driving across the border to distribute to the areas most affected.
Additionally, this weekend, Lions of Sweden will be sending tents to Haiti this along with the Swedish government rescue team. These large tents will help house victims as well as relief workers.
Lions from District A-9, Ontario, Canada were in the area when the earthquake hit, helping to establish a clean water system for the Mission of Hope orphanage, and are now assisting in providing immediate medical care Lions have established a command post and are administering medical assistance around the clock. They have worked out a shift system, and in the first three hours of operation they tended to 100 sick and injured. Lions from 13-B, Ohio, were also in the area during the earthquake, having just completed a screening and eyeglass distribution mission to 2,500 people.
Lions Clubs International Foundation works with Lions in the immediate area to assess the greatest needs and ensure funds are used to help those who need it most. The Foundation has experience in disaster relief, providing over a combined $23 million for South Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and China earthquake, as a result of Lions' worldwide generous contributions.
As with past disasters, Lions worldwide are supporting LCIF relief efforts in Haiti. Within 48 hours, Lions worldwide have pledged nearly US$250,000 to help. The Lions of Norway have pledged US$86,000, the Calgary Korean Lions Club in Canada contributed $1,000, Port Carling, Ontario, Canada Lions sent US$500. These are just a sampling of Lions contributions.
Donate online at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/supporting-our-work/make-a-donation/lions-lcif-online-donation.php. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.
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15th January 2010
Further to the devastating earthquake which happened in Haiti this week Lions Clubs International Foundation have already awarded a Major Catastrophe Grant of $50,000 to help with the immediate disaster relief efforts. LCIF is in contact with Lions in Haiti, as well as neighboring Latin American countries and Lions leadership in the area, to assess the situation and determine immediate needs and how Lions and LCIF can best assist.
A powerful 7.0 earthquake devastated the island nation the evening of Tuesday, January 12. Much of the capital city of Port-au-Prince has been destroyed, and it is estimated that 3 million people, nearly one-third of the country's population, has been affected by the earthquake. Precise casualty numbers are unknown at this time, but up is estimated that around a hundred thousand people could have lost their life. Countless buildings and other infrastructure have been decimated. Rescue efforts remain ongoing at this time.
As with past disasters, Lions worldwide are supporting LCIF relief efforts in Haiti. Within 24 hours, Lions worldwide have pledged over US$250,000 to help. Online credit card donations totaled US$13,000, and the Lions of Norway have pledged US$86,000, the Calgary Korean Lions Club in Canada contributed $1,000, Port Carling, Ontario, Canada Lions sent US$500. These are just a sampling of Lions contributions. Immediate relief efforts will center on providing water, food, medicine and other essential needs.
Donors can assist Lions in the immediate area and Lions Clubs International Foundation in responding to this disaster with a designated donation to the "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" Fund.
Donate online at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/supporting-our-work/make-a-donation/lions-lcif-online-donation.php. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.
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Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International. Established in 1968, LCIF is committed to providing humanitarian services to those in need, including providing disaster relief, saving sight, supporting youth and combating disability. Each year, LCIF typically awards US$2 million in emergency grant relief funding. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times study as the #1 non-governmental organization with which to partner. Learn more at http://lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/index.php.
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