Service
above Self
News
2022/2023
Rotary collection for victims of the Türkiye and Syria earthquakes.
On Wednesday the 15th of February, only 9 days after the devastating earthquake hit Türkiye and Syria, Rotarians were out at the Diamond in Enniskillen together with Rotary Ireland's Shelterbox representative Kerr Fulton-Peebles collecting money for the survivors of the quake.
This earthquake was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. It also was the deadliest earthquake since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It is estimated that in Türkiye 35,000 people have died, 80,000 injured and 150,000 homeless. In Syria, estimates so far indicate 5,700 dead, more than 14,500 injured and approximately 5 million homeless. This equates a quarter of the population of Syria.
Kerr had erected one of the Shelterbox tents, which attracted a lot of interest with the public. Rotarians braved the cold and the wind all day, at times taking refuge in the tent to warm up a little. The Enniskillen public proved themselves to be more than generous, allowing Rotary to pass on in excess of £4,000 to Shelterbox.
Rotarians, as well as Kerr himself, were grateful and humbled by the immense generosity of the people of Enniskillen. Rotarians proud themselves to be "People of Action", but today the actions of the people of Enniskillen spoke louder than any words. Thank you, Enniskillen, from the Rotary Club of Enniskillen, Shelterbox and the people in need in Türkiye and Syria. We are so proud of you.
