Flooded street in Northern Hungary


Children at a post flood camp in Pakistan


US clubs. We are most grateful for this immediate help! It gives us strength to dedicate ourselves to this important project.


the standing water damaged or destroyed houses and public institutions. Members of SI Szeged decided to raise


visited the sites of the red toxic spill in Devecser and Kolontár and met the two mayors of these villages. It was deeply moving to hear their account of the tragedy. Except for a one-year-old child, most of the victims were elderly. 840 people were taken to hospital. Thousands of families, many of whom had lost their homes, were affected. After evaluating a number of options


In January a delegation of Soroptimists


money to help the flood victims, and our Friendship Links, SI Berne-Arcadia, Switzerland and SI Ilkley, England, generously joined this initiative. The substantial donations are covering the cost of rebuilding the village’s school. A plate will acknowledge this international co- operation by the Soroptimist clubs.


Floods in Pakistan We have all seen the heart wrenching


among the local reconstruction plans, we decided to contribute to building a new kindergarten in Kolontár. A member who has run a kindergarten in Budapest for 10 years will advise, enabling us to contribute expert knowledge as well as financial aid. Once the facility is functioning,


we intend to invite paediatricians, psychologists etc. for meetings with parents to raise awareness of the possible effects of this toxic exposure on children. It is important to prevent and treat any repercussions quickly. Experts will also be invited to workshops for medical physicians to discuss the latest international best practices. We also plan to provide educational toys for the kindergarten. We thank all Soroptimists who have


helped Hungarian people in need and hope to have your continued support, as every euro counts.” For further information, contact: suba@soroptimisteurope.org


Floods in Northern Hungary While the red sludge spill received


extensive media coverage, the devastating floods in Northern Hungary in 2010 were given far less international attention. Katalin Párdutz, President, SI Szeged, Hungary, reports: “After heavy rain in June, the rivers of Hernád, Sajó and Vadász overflowed their banks, forcing 270 people to abandon their homes. In spite of heroic efforts by the community, the evacuation of Ócsanálos was unavoidable. The flood and


media coverage of the devasting and widespread floods in Pakistan last summer. The members of Soroptimist clubs in Pakistan witnessed the misery and the horror on a daily basis. Talat Pasha, Assistant Programme Director, SIGBI reports: “The 2010 Pakistan floods wreaked


fundraising and donations of food, clothing and equipment which they took to the various camps themselves. They have also helped to establish medical facilities. “We are still calling on Soroptimists across the world to help us raise desperately needed funds for this appeal. Please consider supporting our partner UNICEF which receives no funding from the UN budget – it is funded entirely by donations.


Clubs can donate online by visiting www.unicef.org.uk/Pakistansoroptimists.


havoc following heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan. The Pakistani economy has experienced collateral damage to infrastructure and crops. Structural damage are estimated to exceed US$4billion, and wheat crop damage is estimated to be over US$500 million. Officials estimate the total economic impact to be as much as US$43 billion. The United Nations has made its largest ever appeal for funding to assist Pakistan flood victims. As millions of people around the world helped Pakistan to overcome this natural disaster, Soroptimists in Pakistan also rose to the occasion and worked tirelessly towards flood relief. SI members in Pakistan have demonstrated their solidarity and support to the Pakistani nation in this hour of grief by contributing immensely in the relief efforts. “SI clubs in


Lahore, Karachi and Hyderabad have worked tirelessly to assist the victims of the floods, with


TIS March 2011 Page 11


Mudslides in Brazil In January 2011, floods and mudslides caused nearly 1000 deaths in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. SIA President Sharon Fisher and SIE President Eliane Lagasse reached out to Brazil Region Governor Mariza Soares de Azevedo to express the support and concern of both federations. They reminded Governor Mariza that Soroptimist disaster grants – supported by both federations – were available for projects focused on the special needs of women and girls rebuilding their lives following the disaster. Clubs were encouraged to make donations to the Soroptimist Disaster Fund so that the resources would be available when needed. Because Soroptimist disaster grants focus on helping women and girls to rebuild their lives, it frequently takes several months following a disaster before a gender-specific project can be identified for support.


Mudslides caused devastion in Brazil


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