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April 30, 2020  
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Let's Respond for Peace

Dear Peacebuilders, 

Just a few weeks ago, we were living in normalcy. Our lives were fast paced, filled with people, due dates, travels, conferences, projects, meetings, and appointments. Due to COVID-19, we rapidly went from normalcy to lockdown where almost everything was pushed to a halt. We were quickly forced to slow down, reassess our busy schedules and decide on new priorities. This dramatic shift to our reality is a test of our resilience. Many of us are still trying to survive and adapt, but as leaders we know that struggle is only fuel for us to act. We also feel the responsibility to help others and live by our motto, service above self. As leaders and people of action, our new priority is to create a positive future together.

It is time to reflect, reimagine, and have the courage to act differently. COVID-19 has shown us that the old normal doesn’t work anymore. Our world is being shaped into a new reality and it will not be the same after the pandemic. We will experience a different world, and a new normal. We have a great opportunity to unify and build the world we want on the other side of this pandemic. Our new world can be full of mutual understanding with love for our fellow humans. We can yield flourishing structures, systems and attitudes for peace.

John F. Kennedy said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Considering Kennedy’s wise words, the pandemic is humanity’s wake up call to bring positive change to our future lives. When we accept this pandemic as a change in life, we will be able to move forward in the right direction. Rotary has been tested at various times in history. After surviving WWII, Rotarians were instrumental in advancing Human Rights. Rotarians lead the eradication of Polio, never once intimidated by the great scale of the issue. I trust we will look back in history and celebrate Rotarian’s contributions to tackling COVID-19.

Rotary has been leading innovative ways to tackle the challenge. Rotary has created an emergency response fund, Rotarians are convening online, and we are actively involved in providing support to communities in desperate need for help. Let us continue to collaborate and innovate.

During this pandemic, Rotarians have again restored this belief that compassion, collaboration, goodwill, and understanding is the basis for peace. COVID-19 has taught us that security based on fear of one another is not an effective solution for humanity. If the virus does not discriminate, why would we? The most sophisticated arms will not defeat COVID-19, but the global unity to find the vaccine and to protect the most vulnerable will. Recent events demonstrate that caring for one another is the most effective way to fight COVID-19 and build peace. 

Margaret Mead famously said, “never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.” Our world may seem a bit complicated, unfamiliar, and unpredictable right now. For Rotarians and peacebuilders, it is time to envision and build a future that brings goodwill, understanding and peace.

Wage Peace, 
Reem 
Image result for Rotary Peace DoveThroughout the news, we are inspired by the People of Action responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rotarians and Peacebuilders from all over the world are unifying together on creative initiatives that help their communities stay healthy and resilient despite these difficult times. This month, we are sharing the latest Rotarian, Peacebuilder, and RAGFP initiatives that continue to wage peace together, even while we are physically apart. 

The RAGFP is here to continue to provide our peacebuilders with the tools, education, and resources to be effective peace leaders and People of Action. From sharing your stories, providing online education and training programs, and growing the Peacebuilder Club network, the RAGFP will continue to support and empower grassroots community peacebuilding, no matter what. Despite these obstacles, transitions, and uncertainties, the RAGFP is certain that peace is the answer to the many issues we are facing today. We are witnessing the largest global united effort to fight this pandemic. Let us continue to collaborate on both the local and international scale to benefit all of humanity. Your efforts in peacebuilding do not go unnoticed. Take action today and join the RAGFP Global Network of Peacebuilders. Together, we will make the peace we want to see in the world a reality. 

Peace starts with you. In this newsletter, we are sharing the stories of action that Rotarians are waging all over the globe to inspire you and your club to continue to take action. In addition to action in your community, we are sharing ways to continue your growth, education, and network as a Peacebuilder. Peace is an ever-changing process with evolving solutions.  Continue reading to learn more about the RAGFP's many peace initiatives and opportunities that you can participate from home. 
WAGE PEACE: Join the RAGFP today!
Show your Support for Peacebuilding
Thank you for your commitment to service and peace. Your humanitarian efforts have made our world a better place during these unprecedented times. The RAGFP is with you every step of the way.  Thanks to technology we are still able to connect, collaborate, and take action for peace together.  We know your personal passion for peace, and therefore, we are going to continue to provide the best opportunities for you and your Rotary Club to wage effective peace action.  Your donations allow the wheel of peace to continue to turn. We invite you to donate a portion of your stimulus checks or canceled travel funds to the RAGFP. We are committed to providing you with high-quality peace education, opportunities for peacebuilding connections, as well as effective strategies and support for peace projects. Your generous donations will help strengthen Rotary's positive peace impact in your community and around the globe. 
For a limited time, all donations to the RAGFP are matched by the Jubitz Family Foundation. 
DONATE TODAY
      
Rotarians Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic 
Long before Covid-19 there was polio. At its peak in the Image may contain: 2 people1940s and 1950s, polio killed or paralyzed over half a million people, disproportionately affecting children. On September 29th, 1979, Rotarians helped administer oral drops of a polio vaccine to children in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati, Philippines, unofficially marking an effort by Rotary International to vaccinate children on every corner of the globe. RI’s PolioPlus launched in 1985 and Rotary became a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication initiative in 1988. Rotary and its partners have now reduced polio cases in our world by 99.9% and over 2.5 billion children have received the polio vaccine. These efforts by Rotarians and their partners are known as one of the most successful infectious disease eradication in the history of the world. 

There is, to date, no vaccine for Covid-19. Our best defenses against this historic pandemic include “social distancing,” and following CDC and WHO guidelines for mitigating its rate of infections and preventing its spread. Yet, as people of action, Rotarians are on the frontlines of caring for a world in crisis. Here are just a few examples of how Rotarians are responding to the Covid-19 emergency, according to Rotary International:

  • In Italy, one of the most affected countries, clubs in District 2080 are raising funds to purchase ventilators and protective gear for overstretched hospitals. And when the worst of the outbreak was raging in China, the district’s clubs raised more than $21,000 for protective masks to prevent the spread of the disease there. 

  • In Hong Kong, Rotary clubs have raised funds, packed medical supplies, and visited public housing to distribute masks and sanitizers. 

  • Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka installed thermometers in airport bathrooms and produced posters to raise awareness about the coronavirus for schools across the country. 

  • The Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, Sind, Pakistan, distributed thousands of masks to people in Karachi. 

  • Rotary clubs in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state conducted a campaign to raise awareness about the threat of the virus. Members shared information about the illness and how to keep safe at two schools and distributed materials about using good hygiene to stay healthy. 

Using technology to address the crisis: 

Although clubs and districts are canceling or postponing their in-person meetings and events, they are still finding ways to keep up their fellowship, reimagine their service efforts, and respond to the pandemic: 

  • The Rotary E-Club of Fenice del Tronto invited the public to its 11 March online meeting to raise awareness about the coronavirus. A virologist spoke about the virus, how it spreads, and how to keep safe. 

  • The Rotary Club of Singapore hosted a webinar in which an epidemiologist and an infectious disease expert addressed questions and concerns about the coronavirus and the pandemic. 

  • The Rotary Club of East Jefferson County, Washington, USA, used crowdsourcing to create an online listing of area grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants that offer home delivery. 

  • Rotary members in Hereford, England, created a Facebook group for Rotary members and others to use to link people who need support with people or organizations that can help. More than 6,900 people have joined the group since it was started on 14 March. 

  • Two days before its annual fundraiser, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, moved the event to Facebook. It auctioned more than 100 items and raised more than $100,000, about the same amount as in previous years. Food set to feed 350 people at the event was delivered to those in need. 

If your club has a COVID-19 response project, share it with the RAGFP. Your action could be featured on the RAGFP social media, website, or a future newsletter. Share your project on our Peace Projects Page or email us at contact@rotariansforpeace.org
SHARE your Project with the RAGFP
RAGFP Online Opportunities 
Just because we are united from home, doesn't mean that we can't unite for Peace. The RAGFP is offering many programs that enable peacebuilders to learn, connect, and strategize peace efforts from the comfort of your own home. Join us on one of many opportunities to wage peace. 
 
Together For Peace: A Living Room Conversation with Reem Ghunaim
Friday, May 1st at 2:00 pm PST / 5:00 pm EST
Join the RAGFP on an educational and peacebuilding opportunity every Friday with Together for Peace. Each episode, Reem Ghunaim interviews an inspiring peacebuilder to share their journey as people of action, as well as open opportunities for peacebuilding with Rotarians around the world. Be inspired, learn new peace strategies, and take action for peacebuilding every Friday. 
May 1st, Muyatwa Sitali
2:00 pm PST / 5:00 pm EST / 10:00 pm GMT
Muyatwa has had a lifelong passion for peacebuilding. A Rotary Peace Fellow and current Specialist at Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) by UNICEF, Sitali works every day to improve the lives of millions. Between his upbringing on a farm in Zambia, his experiences all over Africa, and now living in New Jersey for SWA, Sitali has a complete view of the obstacles and solutions for water quality and development in the world's most fragile communities. Sitali's story will remind you of how precious clean water and sanitation facilities are, especially in the time of COVID-19. Learn more about Sitali's work, the SWA, and how to take sustainable action for communities who do not have access to clean water and sanitation this Friday on Together for Peace.
REGISTER for this week's Episode
May 8th, Julia Phelps
2:00 pm PST / 5:00 pm EST / 10:00 pm GMT

Julia has been active in her service to Rotary for over 20 years. She has served numerous roles within Rotary, from the president of the Rotary Club of Amesbury, District 7930's Chair, and now, as an appointed Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. Her breadth and variety in experience demonstrate her dedication to service above self. She has worked with RYLA, the Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group, and several summits and conferences around the world. Join us next week to learn from Julia's peacebuilding journey through Rotary. 

 
Thank you for your support of the Together For Peace webinar series. Without your participation, the series would not be a success. The RAGFP is asking for donations as little as $1.00 to register for each episode of Together for Peace. Donate for the price of a cup of coffee and join us for a peacebuilding conversation from the comfort of your home. Proceeds go toward the production of the series as well as to help the RAGFP continue to create educational peacebuilding content for the Rotary community and beyond. 
We hope to see you this Friday.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and emails for future Together for Peace episodes. Re-watch each episode on the RAGFP's website
SKY Mindful Leadership Training
Friday, May 22nd - Monday, May 25th
 
The Together for Peace webinar is teaming up with Mandar Apte for a transformative Mindful Leadership training workshop to empower you to become an effective leader of peace action. Peacebuilder, Mindful Leadership instructor, Cities4Peace founder, and film director, Mandar has the vision and passion to spread peace to all. Mandar's SKY Mindful Leadership training will teach you the breathing and meditation techniques to  help you
  • reduce stress and improve energy levels, 
  • improve social and emotional intelligence,
  • enhance trusted relationships and learn to resolve conflict. 
These techniques and lessons are what Mandar uses in his successful Cities4Peace projects and in his film From India with Love. From victims of violence,  former gang members, prison inmates, activists, and corporate office staff, Mandar's transformative lessons help spark the light of peace from within. During these times of added stress and uncertainty, this 4-day workshop to help you become resilient life's winding turns. Invest in yourself to find inner peace, so you can lead positive peace out into the world around you. 
REGISTER NOW
Here's a video of Reem trying out a few of Mandar's basic breathing exercises. Try them out yourself. If you're interested in learning more mindful leadership techniques, register for Mandar's SKY Mindful Leadership workshop on May 22nd-25th. 
Chat with the Chair
Tuesdays 2:30 pm PST / 5:30 pm EST / 10:30 pm GMT
Thursdays 6:00pm PST / 9:00 pm PST / 2:00 am (Friday) GMT

Want to connect with other Rotarians while safe at home? Join RAGFP Board Chair, Alison Sutherland on Chat with the Chair, where Rotarians gather to discuss means for Rotarians to come together and take action to assist the global health efforts concerning COVID-19. 

 
Zoom ID 533 632 6427 
Become a Peacebuilder Club
Is your Rotary Club looking for ways to continue to assist the community while social distancing? Become a RAGFP Peacebuilder Club and join the global network of over 200 peacebuilder clubs around the world to work together to wage effective peace action. 



What are Peacebuilder Clubs?
Peacebuilder Clubs are essential participants of Rotary's Peace Area of Focus as you engage in peace initiatives that create and improve the infrastructures and attitudes for peace within your local communities. 

Our Peacebuilder Club program is a great success. We began this initiative in the Fall of 2018 with only 21 original clubs. Thanks to you, we have quickly grown to over 200 registered RAGFP Peacebuilder Clubs worldwide. Check out our RAGFP Peacebuilder Club Map to view the global network of Peacebuilders. 

What do Peacebuilder Clubs do? 
All RAGFP Peacebuilder Clubs assemble peace committees who meet regularly to discuss how their Rotary Club can engage in peace projects that build and sustain positive peace. RAGFP tells your stories in our monthly newsletters and throughout social media. Your peace projects significantly impact the advancement of peace RAGFP is honored to elevate the peace work to inspire other peacebuilders around the world. 

How to Become a RAGFP Peacebuilder Club - as easy as 1,2,3! 

1.  Read our Peacebuilder Club Primer and Resources
2. Check our Peacebuilder Club map to see if your district has a Peace Committee Chair
3. Fill out and send the RAGFP your Peacebuilder Club application to contact@rotariansforpeace.org

Peacebuilder Club Next Action Steps:
1. Join the Rotary Action Group for Peace
Your membership to the RAGFP gives you and your Peacebuilder Club access to the exclusive RAGFP educational content, project support, and connection to the greater Rotary network to wage sustainable and effective Peace Action. We give you the tools, resources, and strategies for Peacebuilders to empower the communities around them. 

2. Start a Peace Project in your community
The RAGFP wants to empower peacebuilding at the grassroots level. The challenges that face a community are best known by the community themselves. Start a peace project that strengthens your local community today. If you don't know where to start, here's a list of ideas to help spark some inspiration: 
  • Read the RAGFP Projects Page to see what other Rotarians and Peacebuilder Clubs have done to wage peace in their communities and abroad. 
  • Participate in Mandar Apte's Sky Mindful Leadership training.
  • Plant a Peace Pole. 
  • Read the above article about Rotarians responding to COVID-19 and replicate a project for your local area. 
 
If you have any questions about the RAGFP Peacebuilder Club program or would like to know how to get started on your next Peace Project, please email us at contact@rotariansforpeace.org.
Yemen: ranked 160/163

For 2020, the RAGFP is featuring the obstacles to peace in the world's least peaceful nations. We want to demonstrate what efforts are currently being done to create pathways to peace and the positive peace impact Rotarians can wage in the regions that need it most.  Here are the links to our first features on Afghanistan,  Syria, and South Sudan.

Prolonged Conflict and COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serious Humanitarian Catastrophic for Yemen
Yemen Conflict in Brief: The Yemeni Civil War is an ongoing conflict that began in 2015 between two factions: the Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi-led Yemeni government and the Houthi armed movement, along with their supporters and allies. Both claim to constitute the official government of Yemen.  Since March 2015, the conflict became more violent, resulting in continued unbearable suffering for the local population today. The Yemen conflict has become complex with the involvement of regional actors like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, and a few western powers. Further involvement of Al-Qaeda, Ansar al-Sharia, and ISIL has deepened the conflict. The five-year war devastated almost every sector of the country (Orkaby, Asher. 25 March 2015. "Houthi Who?". Foreign Affairs). The most affected sectors are the food management and healthcare sector.

The Cost of Yemen Conflict:
The war caused more than 11,200 deaths, about 50,000 wounded and 3,154,572 people were displaced. According to Save the Children, about 85,000 children died out of starvation and malnutrition. About 3000 people died in cholera. The health care system is completely broken. The country is on the brink of a serious humanitarian disaster. Civilians bear the brunt of the crisis, with 22.2 million Yemenis now in need of humanitarian assistance. The most affected groups are the children and the elderly people, who are suffering the most. 11 million children across Yemen still need humanitarian assistance to survive, including nearly 400,000 who suffer from the most severe form of acute malnutrition and are at imminent risk of death.


COVID-19 Situation in Yemen
Though the first confirmed case was reported in Yemen on April 13, the country bears the highest pandemic risk in the region because of its dilapidated healthcare system. Since 2015, parties to the conflict have targeted not only medical facilities but also medical personnel, as health workers have been threatened, injured, abducted, detained, and killed. Consequently, many medical professionals have fled Yemen, further damaging the ability of the healthcare system to respond to a pandemic. Experts believe that the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen will be catastrophic, unstoppable, and deadly. The death toll of Yemenis is likely to be outnumbered by recent projections of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Humanitarian Operations in Yemen:
Despite the ongoing fight, the United Nations along with few other international organizations, like ICRC, International Rescue Committee, INTERSOS, Medicine Sans Frontiers, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, UNICEF, UNDP, World Food Program and a few other INGOs are operating the humanitarian mission in Yemen. Learn more about these projects here.  

How can we help The Yemenis:
It is very important to create global awareness about the possible danger the pandemic poses in Yemen. Rotarians can help the Yemeni people through donations and partnerships to the NGOs working for the healthcare sector in Yemen. 

Want to Wage Peace in Yemen? Fill out this survey.
Yemen Survey
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