Cyclone Season Preparaton
An update
Rotary New Zealand has received the following advice from MFAT:
“The 2016-17 tropical cyclone season is now upon us. Meteorological and climate analysis centres across the Southwest Pacific are indicating near average numbers of tropical cyclones (TC) for the season (November 2016 to April 2017). The outlook indicates that 8 to 10 named TCs are expected for the coming season. TC activity is elevated for the Pacific Island countries to the north of the Coral Sea and close to the International Date Line near Tonga and Niue.”
Rotary New Zealand’s Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) are used as a first-response survival kit for the Pacific Islands.
We currently have pre-positioned stock in Suva, Lautoka, Labasa, Apia, Nuku’alofa and the Cook Islands. In preparation for this year’s cyclone season, Rotarians in the Auckland area have stocked 1,000 ERKs and these are on their way to Fiji, Tonga and Niue. While we have had sufficient funds to stock these ERKs, if a further request came through, we wouldn’t have sufficient donated funds to re-stock a further shipment. District 9940 ERK donations YTD is $15,200 which although good, is around $3,000 lower than for the same time last year.
There are four demonstration kits available in 9940 for clubs to use for display purposes at club events, fairs, supermarkets, in shop windows, etc to encourage public donations. Please refer to your District directory (p.66) for booking a demo. kit for your next event. Alongside the kit are brochures, a pull-up banner and high-viz vests for club use. We also have Rotary ERK gift cards available which are ideal for businesses and family to use at Christmas-time instead of the usual calendars and other merchandise. The idea is that people would pay for the gift cards and pass them onto the people they are making the gift on behalf of. For purchasing ERK gift cards, contact Stuart Batty via email stuart.batty@rnzwcs.org or 027 269 5615.