US $10,000 Grant awarded to Lions Zone 59 to aid Hurricane Richard victims

-Press Release - Belize Lions Zone 59 - November 2, 2010 - The Belize Lions Zone 59 is pleased to announce the disbursement of a grant of US$10,000 to be used for relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Richard. The money was secured through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) Disaster Relief Fund which is available to any district or zone after a disaster.

Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Richard, The Belize Lions Zone 59 expressed to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon Dean Barrow, that as a service organization in Belize, we were ready to assist in bringing some immediate relief to the victims of hurricane Richard.
Following the announcement of the initial assessment of the damages, The Zone Chairman, Baldemar Graniel, immediately contacted Lions International and provided them with the necessary documentation to secure the grant. On Monday November 1st, LCIF contacted the Zone Chairman to inform him that the monies have been approved and ready for disbursement.
LCIF has a board-established grant criterion and emergency grant funds must be used only to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for those affected by the disaster. Because monies must be utilized by the Lions, the organization will be working very closely with the Government of Belize, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), in identifying areas that are more in need. In the immediate days ahead, the Zone Chairman, Lion Graniel will be consulting with the Presidents of the Club to work out a methodology of disbursing relief supplies.
The LCIF grant will complement the efforts of various other Lions Clubs following the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. The Lions Club International Foundation, along with the Belize Lions Zone 59, continues to pledge its full support to all those Belizeans affected by Hurricane Richard and we remain committed in making our community and country a better place to live. On behalf of the Belize Lions Zone 59 and the people of Belize, we also wish to thank LCIF for awarding us with the much needed grant.