It has become clear that the Pakistan Flood situation has deteriorated considerably since I emailed all Club International Chairs on 4^th August.  More than 1,600 people have died after the worst floods in the country for the past 80 years.  As the floods have now spread to the Sindh province some 16 million people are directly affected. See  BBC’s Orla Guerin’s report on a village slowly drowning in Sindh province. It is now consider that the devastation is even greater than the major Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake. 

Today RIBI President Jim Moulson launched an ‘RIBI International Disaster Fund’. This was subsequently upgraded to a full Appeal. Monies donated to the appeal will be earmarked for Pakistan for long term sustainable projects. All donations to the fund should be made payable to the ‘RIBI Donations Trust’ and sent to Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, Kilwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6PB. Cheques should be marked ‘Pakistan flood’ on the back.

I am sensing that water purification boxes are being favoured at this time. Thanks to Wolverton & Stony Stratford for their supermarket collection last weekend, and to Hitchin Tilehouse who are selling curries in Hitchin Town Square this Saturday morning under the banner of Poppadoms for Pakistan. Great stuff.   

Do keep me advised of any response your Club chooses to make. Thanks,