Press Release

Pakistan honors Rotary’s quake relief efforts

30 October 2006

The government of Pakistan has announced an award to recognize Rotary's swift response to the plight of survivors of a 7.6-magnitude earthquake, the worst in the country's history.

More than 75,000 people were killed and 3.5 million left homeless by the devastating quake that ripped through the North-West Frontier province and Pakistani-administered Kashmir in October 2005.

As soon as news of the disaster broke, local and international Rotary clubs rushed emergency relief to hundreds of thousands of affected people. District 3270 (Afghanistan; Pakistan) set up a disaster relief account to accept donations from concerned Rotarians and friends. Food, blankets, medicine, and tents were among the donated items that Rotarians sent and helped distribute to survivors.

RI President Bill Boyd, who was president-elect at the time, travelled to Pakistan in December to comfort survivors and convey the sympathies of the world's Rotarians to the Pakistani people and government. He also aimed to find out firsthand how Rotarians could help with long-term rebuilding efforts.

The Rotary world has contributed more than US million in cash and in-kind donations to assist survivors, more than half of this was given by Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland. More than 0,000 was directly donated into subaccounts The Rotary Foundation established in early 2006 to support earthquake disaster recovery efforts in Pakistan, the worst-hit country, and affected parts of India.

"Rotarians in Pakistan feel tremendous pride in receiving this award because this is the first time that the efforts of Rotary in Pakistan have been properly recognized," says Muhammad Faiz Kidwai, immediate past governor of District 3270, who coordinated the relief efforts. "This will positively contribute in improving the image of Rotary in Pakistan."

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will present the award, officially called Sitara-e-Eisar (the Star Award for Courage and Sacrifices), to Rotary International in February.