Lions Clubs have sent 1,000 Lifesaver water filtration systems to local communities in the Phillipines affected by the Typhoon Haiyan disaster. Nationally, the clubs pledged £200,000. Our local Rye and District Lions Club donated £500 towards the appeal. The filtration systems provide up to 20 million litres of sterile water for drinking and medical use.
Sue Clay, president of Rye Lions, commented: “Our clubs provide a global network that is able to give immediate practical and financial support when disasters strike.” She went on: “Typhoon Haiyan has been called the worst storm to make landfall in recorded history and its devastation is hard to imagine. As Lions, we not only help our local communities throughout the year with donations, but are able to respond when relief is required in any community.”
Lions Clubs within Southeast Asia have pledged £310,000 to the aid effort which will be delivered through volunteer club members in the Philippines. The typhoon is the second disaster to hit the area in a few months. Lions Clubs, including four in Cebu and one in the disaster epicentre of Tacloban, were already helping communities affected by October’s major earthquake nearby, when the typhoon struck on November 8 2013. More than 6,000 people are thought to have died in the disaster. Half a million homes were washed away.
Anyone who would still like to give can send a cheque made payable to Rye and Distract Lions Club. Mark the back of the cheque: Philippines Appeal and send to Reg Emson, 22 New Winchelsea Road, Rye, TN31 7TA.