HUM 4 HIMACHAL: Rotary Club’s relief for Mandi cloudburst victims

In the wake of the devastating cloudbursts that struck Mandi district on June 30, claiming 42 lives and displacing hundreds, Rotary District 3070 has launched a significant humanitarian initiative — HUM 4 HIMACHAL — to provide timely and impactful relief to the affected communities.

Spearheaded by district governor Rohit Oberoi, the initiative began with the formation of Team HUM (short for Ham Sab Milkar — Together for Himachal), reflecting a spirit of collective action and compassion. Within days, Rotary Clubs from Sundernagar, Suket, Mandi, Nerchowk and Chhoti Kashi Mandi were on the ground, working in close coordination with the SDMs of Thunag and Gohar to distribute relief materials.

The assistance provided was comprehensive and need-based, with families receiving relief kits that included blankets, utensils, gas stoves, medicines, hygiene kits, solar lights and footwear. In inaccessible areas where roads were washed away, affected residents were brought to Sundernagar to receive aid.

Support extended far beyond the state’s borders. Rotary Club Palampur donated 500 blankets and 120 tarpaulins, while Jalandhar East contributed 100 ration kits. Rotary clubs from Hoshiarpur, Shimla, Una, Amritsar, Manali and Jammu also participated actively, providing essential items and logistical support. The effort was further bolstered by individual contributions from Dr Anil (Dharampur), Rotarian Sarabjeet Bobby (Shimla and past governor GS Bawa (Hoshiarpur).

Transitioning from immediate relief to long-term rehabilitation, HUM 4 HIMACHAL now plans to adopt and rebuild an entire village under the state government’s Rs 7 lakh housing scheme, with additional funding and support from Rotary. The proposed “Rotary Village” will serve as a model for disaster resilience and community rebuilding in the region.

With continuous distribution of solar chargers, lighting equipment and essential supplies, coupled with transparent updates on social media, the HUM 4 HIMACHAL initiative continues to stand as a powerful example of service above self, Rotary’s guiding motto.