LCIF has a long history of bringing assistance to areas affected by natural disasters in South and South East Asia and around the world. The Emergency Grant program helps local Lions provide immediate aid to disaster victims and Major Catastrophe grants assist with both immediate needs and long-term reconstruction of affected areas. LCIF’s first grant was an Emergency Grant to assist with flood relief. Since then, a total of 2,280 Emergency Grants, with a value of more than US$17,100,000, have been awarded.

India

LCIF has assisted with aid and reconstruction in the aftermath of two major natural disasters in India. In 2001, US$2.5 million was mobilized to assist communities to rebuild after the Gujarat earthquake. The funds built 734 homes for people displaced by the earthquake, twenty primary schools, and a general hospital. In 2000, LCIF assisted with almost US$500,000 to assist rebuilding areas affected by the Orissa cyclone. A total of 360 homes, nine community centers, five schools, and two orphanages were constructed.

In Lions Multiple District 324, the area comprising South India, there are 2,227 Lions Clubs with 61,730 members. Since 1968, LCIF has awarded a total of more than US$15,000,000 in grants to the area through the SightFirst, Standard, Emergency, and Core 4 grant programs.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, LCIF has provided US$156,208 in emergency relief for numerous natural disasters including earthquake, flood, landslide, and volcano eruption catastrophes.

Indonesia is comprised of two Lions Districts: 307-A covers Sumatra, while 307-B covers Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. MD-307 is comprised of 153 Lions clubs, with 4,414 members. Since 1968, LCIF has awarded over $3,918,810 in grants to Indonesia through the SightFirst, Standard, Emergency, and Core 4 grant programs.

The epicenter of the 8.9 Richter scale earthquake was just off the coast of Sumatra, making it the most devastated area of the entire catastrophe. Sumatra’s northeastern tip, District 307-A, which includes the cities of Banda Aceh and Medan, continues to suffer the worst effects of the earthquake and tsunamis.

Malaysia

Malaysia has four Lions Districts that cover parts of Borneo, as well as peninsular Malaysia. Malaysia has 222 Lions clubs with approximately 6,082 members. Since 1968, LCIF has awarded $698,500 in grants to Malaysia through the SightFirst, Standard, Emergency, and Core 4 grant programs.

Peninsular Malaysia, District 308-B1 and 308-B2, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, is located just east of Indonesia’s Sumatra, and has suffered damage from the tsunamis.

Sri Lanka

Lions Multiple District 306 in Sri Lanka has 294 Lions clubs with 8,246 members. Since 1968, LCIF has awarded more than US$1,773,000 in grants to the area through the SightFirst, Standard, Emergency, and Core 4 grant programs. The Sri Lankan Lions are also involved in a partnership with LCIF and USAID to expand the vocational training and employment opportunities available to the country’s youth.

Thailand

Thailand is comprised of seven Lions Districts and has 313 clubs with 9,378 members. Since 1968, LCIF has awarded $3,139,817 in grants to Thailand through the SightFirst, Standard, Emergency, and Core 4 grant programs. Of the total grants awarded, over US$280,000 has been awarded in emergency relief, covering situations such as floods, typhoons, and Cambodian refugee relief assistance.

Southern Thailand, District 310-B, has been greatly affected by the recent tsunamis. Affected areas include the Malay Peninsula and the popular resort island of Phuket.