Barry Rassin, Rotary International Director 2006-2008 addresses an audience at the UN Headquarters. Photo: Rotary International

New York City - Bahamian Rotarian Barry Rassin recently told more than a thousand Rotarians and other guests at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City how tens of thousands of earthquake victims in Haiti have had some semblance of normalcy restored to their lives thanks to the efforts of Rotary and the kindness of corporate and private citizens of 60 countries. The Rotarians and others in The Bahamas put our country as the second highest contributing nation out of the 60.

Speaking at the Rotary-UN Day earlier this month, Mr. Rassin discussed how the work in Haiti is helping prevent and treat disease, combat cholera, help with peace and conflict resolution, provide maternal and child healthcare, ensure citizens have access to potable water and sanitation, provide basic education and literacy and generate economic and community development.

To date, more than 2,000 people have been immunized, biomedical repairs are being conducted at four hospitals in Haiti, midwives have been trained, nearly 30,000 children have received basic education, 36 schools have been built or are under construction, three bridges have been built and 150 wells have been created as well as a 200,000 gallon water reservoir.

The 70 funded and 10 non-funded Rotary initiatives underway in Haiti have a value of $6.5 million.