Because of catastrophic earthquakes that have devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, contributions to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund through 31 March are being directed to humanitarian relief efforts to help people in urgent need of housing, medical care, and other necessary basics.

A powerful earthquake and several aftershocks struck the region on 6 February, killing tens of thousands of people and destroying countless homes and other buildings. People were still trying to cope with the immediate effects of the disaster when another substantial earthquake occurred in the same area on 20 February, causing even more destruction and devastation.

How can Rotary members help?

• Give to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund. Donations, distributed to affected communities through disaster response grants, help clubs and districts provide aid where the need is greatest. The response fund can accept cash contributions and District Designated Funds. If the needs diminish, or if more funds are raised than eligible districts request, surplus contributions may eventually be used to respond to other disasters worldwide.
• Support local initiatives. As we learn about local response efforts that are being led by clubs and districts, Rotary raises awareness about how to support them. People can then support these projects by working directly with Rotary members in the region. Contact us to share information about local response efforts.

How districts can use disaster grants

• Districts 2420, 2430, 2440, and 2452 are eligible to apply for disaster response grants to assist with earthquake relief efforts and can request up to US$25,000 at a time.
• Disaster response grants for these efforts will adhere to the standard disaster response grant policies, except that District 2430 is eligible to have two open disaster response grants at a time.
• Disaster response grants awarded to the three districts in Turkey (2420, 2430, and 2440) can be used to support relief efforts in that nation. Grant funds awarded to
• District 2452 can be used to support Syrian refugees who have fled because of the earthquake to areas in the district, which includes Armenia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Districts other than 2420, 2430, 2440, and 2452 cannot apply for disaster response grants to support these relief efforts.
• Eligible districts can apply by having the governor and Rotary Foundation chair complete the Rotary Disaster Response Grant Application and send it to grants@rotary.org.