Our Disaster Work

Lions Clubs International Foundation has extensive experience in providing immediate and long-term relief following disasters. Local Lions and Lions leaders assess the immediate needs and develop a long-term reconstruction plan; LCIF staff is involved in planning. Read our Disaster Prospectus.

Lions Clubs International (LCI) and Foundation (LCIF)

• Largest service club organization with 1.35 million members in 206 countries and regions
• Vast grassroots network of men and women dedicated to serving their community
• In the 40 years since the Foundation began, it has awarded over $708 million for humanitarian service projects worldwide
• Lions humanitarian services include projects to preserve serve youth, combat disabilities and provide disaster relief
• Last year the average Lions club provided 819 volunteer hours to the community, totaling 37 million volunteer hours by Lions worldwide
• Last year the average Lions club donated $13,576 to charitable causes, totaling $619 million donated by Lions worldwide

Lions Clubs International Foundation Supporting Disasters

• Each year the Foundation awards millions in grants for disaster relief.
• Mobilized $6 million for Haiti earthquake relief, $15 million following South Asia tsunami, $5 million for Hurricane Katrina projects in four U.S. states, $3 million for China earthquake and $3 million following September 11, 2001 devastation and assistance for countless other catastrophes
• What sets LCIF apart is a long term commitment and the fact that 100 percent of every donation goes directly to these projects (administrative costs are paid by interest earned on investments)
• Projects carried out by Lions in the community, a vast grassroots network of 1.35 million Lions members in 206 countries and regions worldwide

Haiti Earthquake Relief

• Lions established three tent cities to provide shelter to 2,500 people. Now Lions are helping rebuild vital infrastructure.
• Provisional homes for 600 Haitian families are moving into new, temporary homes thanks to an initiative between LCIF, the Lions of MD111 Germany and HELP, an international non-governmental organization. Homes include clean water, sanitation facilities and furniture. The families moving into the homes are those who were initially sheltered in Lions tent cities. LCIF is provided US$1.4 million for this project. Through the project, transitional homes will be erected directly on a family's plot of land, thus avoiding the hardship of further displacement.
• Helping to rebuild the National Nurses School of Port au Prince. The school was completely destroyed in the earthquake and more than 100 students and teachers were killed. Even before the earthquake, there was a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in the country and the school was completely destroyed. LCIF will provide US$368,421 or 27 percent of the total project cost of  US$1,363,562 and to be used to fund construction and equipment expenses. The project is in partnership with HumaniTerra International (HTI), a non-governmental organization devoted to surgery. The building will be constructed of prefabricated containers which are durable, storm and earthquake resistant, and will allow for a short construction time.

Peng Hua Lions Village in Sichuan Province, China

• Only volunteer service club organization officially recognized by Chinese government
• 80 homes were handed over to families during a ceremony in October 2009; part of a 2-phase project to construct more than 150 homes
• Chinese Lions joined villagers in the rebuilding process, some traveling to the area up to 10 times to assist hands-on, as well as donating supplies
• Rebuilt three schools in the same area as well, opened in September in time for this school year
• Village is not easy to get to- takes locals who know the area and its needs to best respond

Relief in Four States Following Hurricane Katrina

• Mobilized $5 million for immediate and long-term reconstruction in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi
• An estimated 3 million benefited in some manner from Lions’ efforts
• Funds helped rebuild and equip schools, rebuild or establish Lion eye clinics and eye banks, provide assistive and rehabilitative devices for disabled, repair Lions camps, and numerous other projects
• Lions from across the U.S. and Canada drove relief supplies to affected areas

Villages and Economy Rebuilt in South Asia through Lions

• Awarded more than $15 million for long-term reconstruction efforts in four countries, including Thailand, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
• Rebuilt more than 4,000 homes, in addition, community and health centers, schools and orphanages have been constructed
• Tsunami reconstruction efforts are now complete in Indonesia and Thailand, projects are expected to be completed within the year in Sri Lanka, and projects are ongoing in India

Lions Provide Relief Following September 11, 2001 Attacks

• Allocated $3.2 million
• Purchased needed rescue tools; shipping containers to provide sleeping and warming center for workers; established communications network for e-mail, phone and Web site; held several camp retreats for families of victims