We are coming up to Febriary which for Rotary is Peacebuiling and conflict Prevention month.
Rotary's 1.2 million members are committed to this as one of the seven key areas.
They also actively seek to help those affected by conflict.
Read on for more information including how Rotary Clubs are helping those affeceted by the war in Ukraine.
Today, over 120 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.
We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.
Rotary creates environments of peace
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved.
Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.
Read on if you’d like to know about some of the ways Rotary Clubs are acting to the war in Ukraine.
Summary of the Rotary International Article on Ukrainian Refugee Relief
Rotary International outlines how its global network has mobilised rapidly to support people displaced by the war in Ukraine.
The Crisis
- Over 5 million Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring countries, with millions more displaced internally.
- Most refugees are women and children.
🤝 Rotary’s Global Response
Rotary clubs across Europe — and many beyond — have coordinated donations, logistics, and hands‑on support. More than $15 million has been contributed to The Rotary Foundation for disaster response grants.
🏥 Examples of Support Inside Ukraine
- Cherkasy: Medical supplies delivered to hospitals; daily meals for 250 evacuated families.
- Kharkiv International: Members helping evacuate families and supporting refugees at borders.
- Kyiv clubs: Distributing hundreds of boxes of medical supplies; preparing hot meals; delivering hygiene products and medicines.
- Lviv: Organising and distributing aid arriving from across Europe.
🚚 Support from Neighbouring Countries
- Poland: $50,000 disaster grant used for transport, accommodation, food, and medical care; clubs supporting unaccompanied children at refugee centres.
- Czech Republic & Slovakia: Purchasing medical equipment and coordinating refugee transport with rail companies.
- Hungary, Romania, Moldova: Collecting and distributing essentials; coordinating shelter and food donations.
🌐 Rotaract Europe Initiatives
- Created the United for Peace platform to connect refugees with transport, shelter, and essential information.
- Built tools to match supply and demand for goods within 48 hours of a multinational volunteer meeting.
🇺🇦 Rotary in Ukraine
- 62 Rotary clubs and 24 Rotaract clubs are coordinating relief, fundraising, and distribution of essential goods.
- Lviv clubs are working with hospitals and warehouses to manage incoming aid.
🇪🇺 Wider European Coordination
- France and Germany have established national task forces and donation channels.
- Clubs across Europe are collaborating through intercountry committees to ensure aid reaches where it’s most needed.
UK British Rotary Clubs
- including Banbury Rotary Club, have helped out in numerous ways including providing signs to fence off mined areas, provision of urgently needed medical and other supplies (including hospital generators) as well as temporary accommodation for those who have lost there homes and helping the settlement of temporary refugees.