Disaster Relief
When disaster strikes, Rotarians respond — quickly, locally, and at scale.
Our role
Rotary has clubs in over 200 countries. That global network, combined with deep local knowledge in every community we serve, means we can mobilise practical help before international aid agencies arrive — raising funds, coordinating supplies, and supporting recovery on the ground.
How Rotary responds
The Disaster Response Fund channels donations to districts on the ground.
The Rotary Foundation‘s Disaster Response Fund provides grants to districts affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. These grants fund:
- Immediate relief — clean water, shelter, medical supplies and food.
- Recovery — helping families rebuild homes and livelihoods.
- Longer-term resilience — supporting communities to prepare for the next crisis.
Because Rotary clubs exist almost everywhere, members are often on the ground from day one. Local knowledge, trusted relationships, and volunteer networks make Rotary’s response fast and effective.
Ireland’s response
Irish Rotary clubs have a strong track record of responding to disasters both at home and abroad. When the call goes out, District 1160 clubs raise funds, donate supplies, and volunteer their time and expertise. Recent examples include:
- Support for the Turkey-Syria earthquake relief.
- Contributions to Ukrainian refugee support.
- ShelterBox partnerships and deployments.
- Local response to flooding and storms across the island.
How you can help
- Donate — contributions to The Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Response Fund go directly to relief efforts wherever they’re needed most.
- Volunteer — when local emergencies arise, your club can coordinate volunteers and resources to where they’ll have most impact.
- Be prepared — clubs can develop community resilience plans and forge connections with local emergency services in advance.
When the next crisis hits, Rotary is already there.
Your gift to the Rotary Disaster Response Fund supports rapid relief and long-term recovery in communities facing natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Every euro is deployed where it’s needed most, by Rotarians on the ground.