Saturday, March 17, 2018

Australian Rotary Club Papua New Guinea Earthquake Appeal

Rotary Club of Caloundra

To aid the recovery efforts in Papua New Guinea following the loss of life and property due to the Earthquake on 26 February 2018 in the Southern Highlands, our Rotary District 9600 has established an Earthquake Recovery Fund which will accept tax deductible donations.
The Government declared a state of emergency on 2 March for Hela, Southern Highlands, Western and Enga provinces.
According to initial estimates, over 544,000 people are affected across the five most affected provinces.
Over 270,000 people require immediate humanitarian assistance.
PNG is an important part of our Rotary District and needs our support following this disastrous event.
The appeal is open to the public, as well as to clubs and members, to make contributions.
Rotarians will know that on 26 February 2018 an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude occurred about 3am in an area of the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Due to the isolated location access has been very difficult.
The PNG Army has been working with assistance from RAAF Chinook helicopters and C130 Hercules aircraft.
However due to landslides and damage to roads and bridges very little other support is getting through.
The area is still suffering aftershocks, with villagers not prepared to go back to their homes.
The current death toll has risen to 125 with over 35,000 displaced.
District has established a fund through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) to aid the recovery.
Past District Governor Charles Guesdon is the Project Manager ably assisted by Assistant Governor and PNG Liaison Mary Grant.
Donations to this fund are tax deductable through RAWCS.
District will make available $10,000 from the District Disaster Fund and clubs and members may make contributions through this link.
The Project name is:
Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Earthquake recovery
The RAWCS reference is 75-2017-18
Further details will be circulated as they come to hand.
PNG is an important part of our District and need our support following this disastrous event.
Please consider and give generously.

Together in Rotary Service,
John Lane
Governor 2017-18

More information:
Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake Situation Report No. 1 (as of 10 March 2018)

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