Help in a box

North Karnataka experienced heavy rainfall in early August this year disrupting normal lives. In areas around Hubli-Dharwad it was reported that the rainfall was the highest in the past 30 years. Alnavar taluk was badly affected with most of the rural houses inundated with water.

“We were saddened to see collapsed huts and people there had lost almost everything except their lives. Their bleak faces were heart wrenching,” said PDG Ganesh Bhat, RID 3170. The district office sprung into action and formed the ‘Rotary Hubli-Dharwad Disaster Relief Task Force’ under the leadership of DG Dr Girish Masurkar. Through a slogan — Each one, Adopt one — the district Rotarians were urged to support the victims. Rotarians of Hubli, Dharwad and Gokak responded to the call and pooled in money and material to help the villagers.

“We placed an order for 100 Shelter Kits with RC Calcutta Mahanagar, RID 3291, and received them within four days,” he said. With the help of the local District Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, the Tahsildar and Town Planning CEO, needy families were identified in Alnavar and Gokak villages and the kits were distributed.

The flood waters had ruined the books and bags of school-going children. “So with a slogan — Return to School — we gathered uniforms, shoes, stationery and school bags from Rotarians and distributed them to the children in these villages,” said Bhat.