Nepal Flooding

Action needed

Current Challenges for D1100 clubs include 

• engaging Generation Z to build a Rotaract base to engage with Nepal Rotaract, 
• creating links with Nepali local groups.
• Let Chris know of any links with local Nepal groups to create a directory of D1100 club links with Nepal, current or past, as a base for future action in the ICC

RGBI/Nepal Steering group

The RGBI/Nepal Steering group met on October 22. 6 districts were represented with others in the pipeline. Keith Brownlie (D1240) is chair; Chris Firth is secretary, 

Drewe Lacey is advising on formation of the planned  ICC- - see below

PDG Binod  (D3292 Nepal and Bhutan)delivered an update.

• Critical infrastructure — including hydropower stations and roads — was severely damaged.
• Over 1,000 workers were directly affected.
• Providing temporary shelter and achieving permanent resettlement has proven deeply complex, with cultural sensitivities and community resistance to government-proposed relocation sites adding layers of difficulty.
• Binod's team has secured $50,000 in disaster response grants from Rotary Foundation and international partners. He advised that transferring funds into Nepal remains a bureaucratic challenge, largely due to the Social Welfare Council's regulatory requirements.
• D 3292 will identify potential projects both Rotary grant aided and direct supported by D1100 club experience.

ICC structure

• Ideal team size: 7–8 people on each side — small enough to be agile, large enough to be representative.
• Timeline: 2–3 months to assemble teams, with a potential charter date toward the end of the current Rotary year and a formal launch targeted for 2027.
• Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are essential to ensure financial transfers are transparent and funds reach their intended purpose.
• The ICC is envisioned as a resource hub for District Governors and DRFCs, not just an operational committee.
• We are advising clubs who wish to donate to Nepal directly to save monies in club trust accounts until a direct link to Rotary in Nepal is set up through and projects identified.

Rotaract - an opportunity

• Nepal boasts nearly 150 Rotaract clubs with approximately 5,000 members — making it the district with the largest Rotaract membership globally.
• By contrast, there is a notable lack of Rotaract clubs in RGBI with expansion into universities and cities identified as a priority.
• Chris Firth is already engaging with District 1200's Rotaract group in Chippenham to develop a model for cross-district Rotaract projects.
• Binod confirmed that plans are in place to include both Rotaract and Interact representatives from Nepal in upcoming ICC

Dr Tim Mitchell
Finally to end on a very sad note. Dr Tim Mitchell formerly of Bristol Rotary Club and a great champion of international Rotary in general and Nepal in particular, died on 22 October following a long illness.   

Chris Firth said "Tim was a great inspiration to me and many others in international Rotary and the power of humanitarian support not just in Nepal but generally. I will miss Tim’s wisdom and hope that by creating this RGBI/ Nepal ICC we can build on Tim’s guidance and inspiration."

 Dr Tim Mitchell’s funeral will be on Monday 30th November at 2.30 pm at Memorial Woodlands, Earthcott Green, Near Thornbury, Bristol BS35 3TA (www.memorialwoodlands.com). If you plan to attend the funeral, please let Martina Peattie of Bristol Rotary Club, and can provide more details, know so that she can give Leigh an idea of numbers to expect.

How to help

Could you send Chris any information on links and potential recovery-focused projects so we can take advantage of the RGB&I Disaster Response Trust Fund for Nepal?  If you want more details about the focus of the Trust and what is eligible, go to this link.

https://www.rotarygbi.org/projects/disaster-relief/disaster-recovery-trust/

Rotary Great Britain & Ireland has also sent out materials for clubs to use in collections and other support.

Thank you once again for all your support and help in alleviating suffering in Nepal.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Chris Firth D1100 International Lead: Rotary Club of Swindon