Projects supported by the Disaster Recovery Trust

In 2016, the Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust was asked to step-in to ensure that two community buildings. The Kendal Scouts HQ and the Kendal Deaf Centre, were rebuilt after they were flooded.

The severe flooding, brought about by very heavy rains, caused substantial damage to the buildings which found themselves under many feet of water. Musical instruments, fittings, furniture, wooden flooring and the kitchen were all lost, and the Deaf Centre's building’s foundations were so irrevocably damaged, it was thought that the building would have to be demolished. Money was raised by the combined efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Kendal and Kendal South Westmorland, alongside support from clubs as far afield as Chichester and Hemel Hempstead.

However, owing to shortfalls due to insurance cover, additional help was needed, and the Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust was approached to bridge the gap in funding. This allowed for repairs to the buildings to be completed and both assets are now back in community use.

Tropical Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in August 2019. It was the most intense tropical hurricane on record and is regarded as being the worst natural disaster in the country’s history. It resulted in the almost complete devastation of the northern islands, leaving 90% of homes damaged and thousands of people displaced.

Amongst the buildings and thousands of houses damaged or destroyed was Aldersgate Methodist Church and School which served as a church, school, and a community centre. The Rotary Club of Abaco submitted a funding application to Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust with the support of Rotary Bahamas. The funding request was for structural work on the roof, ceilings, exterior walls, together with the installation of new doors, windows, bathroom and kitchen fittings.

With the help of Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust, the church and school have now been returned to the community, and the islanders of Abaco have begun restoring their lives in a rebuilt, hurricane-strengthened building.

In April 2015, an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit Nepal killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring some 22,000. In total 3.5 million people were left homeless with entire villages flattened across many districts of the country. One of the buildings completely destroyed was Shree Saraswati Basic School located in Laangarche, Sindhupalchok.

The Mondo Challenge Foundation in 2017 approached the Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust and an Australian NGO, Health Habitat, to provide the help needed to start a new school project to build enough classrooms for children to resume their education in a normal school environment.

The completion of the project was only possible with the support of Health Habitat; School in a Bag; the Rotary Clubs of Yeovil; Langport & Somerton; together with Rotary Foundation District Grants.