(ISTANBUL, Turkey - 7 May 2000)
As Turkey continues rebuilding after last year's devastating earthquake,
Rotary International remains strongly committed to long-term reconstruction
projects. Rotary world President Carlo Ravizza, in Turkey to view reconstruction
project sites, will observe the humanitarian contributions of members of
the international humanitarian organization to help rebuild and restore
medical, housing and educational services throughout Turkey. "The
spirit of cooperation and ability to provide immediate global assistance
is one of Rotary's greatest strengths," says Ravizza. "As a non-political
organization, Rotary plays an important role in worldwide humanitarian
efforts. Because clubs are indigenous, they are best able to assist with
relief services and provide on-going assistance."
The August 17, 1999, earthquake left
over 18,000 dead, 30,000 injured, 600,000 homeless and thousands of children
orphaned. Some 115,000 buildings were destroyed as well. Damages have been
estimated at over US$40 billion. Immediately following the earthquake,
Rotary sent out disaster relief notices to its 1.2 million members worldwide,
who quickly assessed needs and joined forces to begin implementing humanitarian
assistance programs. The combined efforts of the worldwide Rotary community
to fund disaster relief projects include:
A massive US$2 million.campaign, in collaboration with university and government officials, to rebuild the Kocaeli University Hospital. Sponsored by Rotary Clubs in Southwest Turkey, the hospital will bear the name "The Rotary Hospital of Koçaeli University" when complete.
Medical shipments to Turkey - some containing over US$500,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment - including hemodialysis machines; ventilators; operating tables and lamps; defibrillators; x-ray machines and videogastroscopic, EKG and pre-natal equipment.
Joint efforts by Turkish and US Rotaract (the junior arm of the organization comprising young professionals under 35 years of age) to provide relief services. A 40-foot ocean container filled with medical supplies, clothing, shoes, toys and toiletries arrived last September, and was immediately dispersed to earthquake victims; with shipments still arriving on a monthly basis, Rotary members are committed to long-term support. Additional projects include construction of an elementary school to replace a site destroyed by the earthquake; temporary housing camps and an Internet site to provide Rotary members with relief efforts updates. The Rotaract Club at the United Nations will receive Rotary International's 1999-2000 Outstanding Project Award at Rotary's annual convention in Buenos Aires; three Turkish Rotaract clubs will also receive special awards for outstanding disaster relief efforts.
With the help of The Rotary Foundation, US$1.6 million in humanitarian grants for Turkish relief efforts have been earmarked for disaster relief projects including: funds to provide ambulances in Izmit; a portable health services clinic in Istanbul; surgical equipment in Golcuk and a fully equipped medical caravan in Turkey.
"The disaster relief services produced remarkable outcomes," commented Rotarian =D6rsçelik Balkan of Istanbul. "We provided immediate assistance to earthquake victims and began logistical work to prepare against future earthquakes. As a consequence, this work served to improve world understanding, because we worked in conjunction with Rotarians of different countries, religions and races, all united in the spirit of service."
Rotarians in the U.S. were especially active in earthquake relief efforts. Fred Brandt's Rotary club in Georgia worked closely with Turkish-American Rotarian Ismail Saltuk of Rhode Island to provide medical shipments to Turkey. "Providing assistance on an international scale like this embodies Rotary's charitable spirit. We funded a project for those in need and worked with AMRF (American Medical Resources Foundation) to multiply our funds; in partnership with Turkish Rotarians, we were then able to provide what was most needed to help families recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake," said Brandt.
Rotary International is one of the world's largest volunteer service organization of business and professional leaders. Rotary is dedicated to providing humanitarian service, promoting high ethical standards in all vocations and building peace and goodwill in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians who are members of more than 29,000 Rotary clubs in 162 countries.
For more information, contact:
In the United States:
Mary La Plante at 847-866-3208
In Turkey:
Vefik Koral at 212-264 7009 or 532 211 3979 (mobile)
Bani Barbaros at 212-274 0102