Morocco Earthquake Appeal
Donation options can be seen here
On Friday 8 September 2023 an earthquake of 6.8 magnitude struck Morocco causing widespread devastation. The epicentre is believed to have been in the High Atlas Mountains, some 75km south of Marrakesh and tremors were felt in the capital Rabat 350km away.
At the time of writing almost 3000 deaths have been reported with a similar number injured. Both rural and urban areas have been affected, with reports of entire rural villages flattened and people sleeping in the open in the major southern city of Marrakesh. Infrastructure has been badly affected, blocked roads hampered rescue efforts and many people were trapped under rubble.
We are liaising with our country partners in Disaster Aid International and trying to establish contacts in Morocco via Rotary International. It is highly likely that our expertise in shelter and safe water solutions will be of enormous benefit. Time is of the essence and we are launching an urgent appeal to provide aid.
Please help us give the affected people in Morocco ‘a hand up, not a hand-out’
Türkiye & Syria Earthquakes Appeal
Donation options can be seen here
Read the report and actions taken by our two DART’s whilst on the deployment in Türkiye HERE
Disaster Aid UK&Ireland are pleased to announce two of our DARTs (Disaster Aid Response Team) are on site and assessing plans for what assistance we can offer 24/4/2023
On Monday 6 February 2023 an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude, closely followed by another of 7.5, struck South Eastern Türkiye near the border with Syria causing massive damage and loss of life in both countries. Thousands are reported dead and many more are injured, missing or homeless. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that as many as 23 million people may be affected.
Türkiye has declared a three-month state of emergency. Whilst Syria is initially reporting slightly less casualties, historic and ongoing conflicts there will exacerbate the problems and their need will be just as high. Possibly contrary to our conceptions, it is bitterly cold in the area.
Disaster Aid UK & Ireland are joining our Disaster Aid International country partners and launching an appeal to help the people of Türkiye and Syria. Members of Disaster Aid International have been in touch with local Rotarians who advise that shelter and warm clothing are among the greatest needs. As Governments and appropriate NGOs respond to the massive and complex disaster phase, we will follow up quickly to assist the survivors with whatever help is appropriate in the next phase.
This is a disaster of almost unprecedented scale across different nations but with your help and generosity allied to our expertise in shelter, safe water and other solutions we can give ‘a hand up, not a handout’ to people who desperately need our help and humanity. Please help us help the people of Türkiye and Syria.
Disaster Aid UK & Ireland present Sila Arslan PHF “The angel of Samandag”
Craig Roberts a Trustee of Disaster AID UK & Ireland, Lead of the Communications Team and a Disaster Aid Response Team Member (DART) is currently on deployment in Türkiye, following up the previous deployment, which assisted with the aftermath of the earthquakes of February 2023.
One of Craig’s first duties after settling in at Samandag was to recognise Sila Arslan as a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF). This Rotary honour is presented to individuals who have shown exceptional dedication in the face of adversity, putting service above self.
Craig met Sila on his first deployment to Türkiye after the earthquakes when she volunteered to perform some translation services. What neither of them realised at that time was that she held the same values as Paul Harris, who founded Rotary in the USA, and she went on to become in every sense of the word an ‘aid worker’ and has continued our work on the ground in our absence.
A survivor herself and seeking nothing, she has shown compassion and empathy to those who have lost everything, offering support, and building rapport and sympathy. She has helped Disaster Aid International negotiate the complex frustrating customs processes and has been responsible for purchasing, negotiating, and handling budgets. This helped us get our aid into the country. Craig even observed Sila peacefully quell a demonstration of frustrated locals with her negotiation and communication skills.
Craig managed to gather members of Sila’s family for the presentation.
Craig: “”I have seen her (Sila) show compassion and empathy to those who lost everything. Offer support and sympathy for things we cannot replace. Build rapport and trust with survivors”
Craig’s full presentation can be found here LINK
Sila: “It started as a request to perform some translatıon servıces but I was keen to take on more responsıbılıtıes and learn how survıvors should be treated and helped after a dısaster.”
“I soon became more ınvolved, conductıng assessments and ıdentıfyıng needs. I lıked how DAI operated as they bought specıfıc ıtems as requested”
Sila’s full response is here LINK
Disaster Aid UK & Ireland
Disaster Aid UK & Ireland is one of the founding partners of Disaster Aid International (DAI). DAI is an international organisation, involving Rotary Clubs around the world, with the mission to:
- Respond to disasters with the supply of humanitarian aid to the affected communities and/or individuals.
- Work in partnership on humanitarian projects funded by other organisations including Rotary clubs and Rotary districts.
In contrast to many other disaster-response groups, our aim is also to provide an infrastructure that allows affected communities to regain their normal lives.
If your organisation, club or group would like a speaker for your meetings, we would be very happy speak about Disaster Aid UK & Ireland, and answer any questions they might have.
Please contact us with suggested details of the time and date of the meeting. Email: admin@disasteraiduk.org
View video for the role of DARTS
Deployments
What do DARTs do?:
- Conduct an assessment of the disaster and local needs;
- Coordinate with relevant governments, aid agencies and the affected communities to ensure that aid is deployed where most effective;
- Manage the effective distribution of equipment, tents etc. to the sites of deployment;
- Train members of the local community so that they can be involved in the distribution and deployment of the equipment, tents etc.;
- Work to ensure that deployments are designed to support longer term sustainability;
- Monitor and evaluate our deployments to ensure that both the products we are deploying as well as the means of distribution are relevant, effective and reach out to the most vulnerable.