The Rotary Club of Yellowknife has joined millions of people across the globe by making a humanitarian donation for the people of Ukraine, caught up in a foreign invasion.
As part of our international outreach and following one of Rotary’s Four Avenues of Service, the YK Club has authorized a donation of $4,000 be made to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal of the Canadian Red Cross.
The Government of Canada has a donation matching program, which will double the impact of monies received.
The Club’s International Services Director Jan Larsson championed the motion to make the donation.
Money raised will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to humanitarian needs … the support could include preparedness, immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, including supporting populations displaced.
The collective leadership and expertise of Rotary’s 1.2 million members helps the organization tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally.
“Our Club works throughout the year to raise money and distribute it to worthy projects and efforts mostly in Yellowknife, but we also respond to needs in the region and make select donations internationally,” said James O’Connor, YK Club public relations director. “Everyone has seen the images coming from Ukraine and the natural impulse to try and help in any way is strong. So anyone who has contributed to a Rotary effort locally has helped us make this modest, but heartfelt donation.”
As of July 2014 there are 46 Rotary Clubs in Ukraine and approximately 850 Rotarians. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.
YK Club President Celestino Oh, who is also the Club's Rotary Foundation chair, noted donations are being accepted through an official channel to support the relief efforts. In the first two weeks of an appeal to support Ukraine, Canadian Rotarians have donated more than US$161,000 to the Rotary Disaster Response Fund.
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A Rotary Club Odessa meeting last year. There are 46 Rotary Clubs in Ukraine and approximately 850 Rotarians Photo from the Club's Facebook page.
From a March 13 post on the Odessa Rotary Club’s Facebook page:
Dear Rotarians, and all friends of Ukrainian people, who are opposing the war in Ukraine! The Ukrainian armed forces and civilians fight patriotically and defend their homeland and their right to be an independent, sovereign and democratic nation. The aggressor's troops are … mercilessly and insidiously destroying civilian infrastructure, which is strategically important for ensuring the life of the civilian population. In this situation, the civilian population, military, and volunteer units need both humanitarian, medical and also financial assistance.
With gratitude,
Veniamin Lushpenko,
Rotary Foundation Chair, Past President 2015-2016 of Rotary Club Odessa.
Photo shows a pre-invasion project by all area clubs in Ukraine.