From deadly floods in Spain, Nepal, Pakistan and China to earthquakes in Japan, Taiwan, Turkey and Morocco. From hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones in the Philippines, Vietnam, Mozambique, Jamaica and Mauritius to wildfires in many parts of the USA, Bolivia and Portugal. From severe cold wave conditions in Canada and Northern Europe to heat waves in USA and drought in Brazil and Colombia… There was no country in the world that remained immune to natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent and more severe as climate change intensifies.
India, with its diverse geography from the Himalayas to coastal regions, faced its own succession of natural calamities, testing communities’ resilience and inspiring extraordinary responses from Lions across the region.
Over the years, Lions Clubs across the country – and the world – have emerged as crucial first responders, combining immediate support with long-term rehabilitation efforts. This is the story of how Lions are helping communities rebuild, recover, and restore hope.
The night of August 31, 2024, fell quietly over Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Its residents slept unaware that their city stood at the threshold of an unprecedented calamity. Torrential rainfall unleashed the fury of the Krishna River and Budameru Rivulet, submerging 40% of the city and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The relentless downpour, continuing until September 11, 2024 brought havoc to the region. Floodwaters rose as high as six feet in some parts, breaching retaining walls and inundating residential areas. Tragically, 45 lives were lost as rainfall levels soared 27% above the yearly average.
The scale of destruction in the NTR and Krishna revenue districts was staggering. Seventy-three minor irrigation tanks breached, displacing over 2,70,000 people in Vijayawada alone. Nearly 42,000 individuals were evacuated to 176 rehabilitation centres. Agriculture bore a heavy toll, with 14,959 hectares of horticulture and 1,72,542 hectares of commercial crops destroyed, alongside significant livestock losses.
The city’s infrastructure crumbled under nature’s assault: 1,810 kilometers of roads lay broken, 74 culverts collapsed, and historic buildings, including five schools, sustained heavy damage. Even basic services were compromised, with over 6,000 streetlights destroyed. Amid this adversity, Lions of District 316D responded with characteristic efficiency under the leadership of District Governor Gadde Seshagiri. The district, comprising 104 Lions Clubs with over 3,000 members, initiated extensive relief efforts.
Thirty one local Lions Clubs distributed food, water, and essential supplies, and set up 39 camps to provide shelter and support. Financial contributions poured in, with Lion leaders like PID Vijay Kumar Raju and PID Chigurupati Vara Prasad donating ₹50,000 each. Collectively, Lions of District 316D raised ₹6 lakhs for rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Support extended beyond state borders. All the Lions Clubs of Hosur in District 324E, quickly mobilized and donated 800 bed sheets and thousands of clothing items. Led by PID Dhanabalan and District Governor N.P. Senthil Kumar, their efforts reflected the Lions’ spirit of solidarity.
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) contributed a US$1,000 Emergency Grant, enabling grocery distribution and addressing urgent needs.
In July 2024, members of the Bengaluru Jnana Yoga Lions Club of District 317A found an unexpected mission at Kollegal’s Karadi Mata Ashram. There, they met 35 women from Chilakvadi Betta caught between nature’s fury and domestic hardship.
The monsoon’s relentless assault on the Old Mysore region had stripped away their livelihoods, while alcoholism among male family members had forced these women to become sole providers.
The Club responded with vision rather than just aid. Their ₹3 lakh investment equipped each woman with a sewing machine and skills training. The Ashram stepped in as a crucial partner to market their products and manage sales completing the support ecosystem.
Success followed quickly. In three months, the women had produced ₹46,000 worth of goods, with ₹19,000 already in their bank accounts. In addition to a sense of financial independence and security, the initiative offered what calamities often steal first: dignity and hope.
Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala is no stranger to floods. Its unique geography makes it highly susceptible to extreme weather events. Nearly 14.5% of the state’s land is flood-prone, with some districts facing a staggering 50% risk of inundation.
In August 2018 Kerala witnessed the worst flood in a hundred years. Nearly 500 people died and over ten lakh people were evacuated – about one-sixth of the total population of Kerala was directly affected by the floods and related incidents. Amid the ravages of the flood, there were many heartwarming stories of hope as ordinary civilians, government and administrative institutions and organizations like Lions Clubs International came together to rescue and rehabilitate.
“All of us sprang into action to help the people who were suffering from the floods and landslides,” said PID R. Murugan, grant administrator. Creating an even larger impact on recovery, LCIF awarded an additional US$5,60,000 grant for the project, and the Manappuram Foundation donated US$2,10,000 to support the construction of 120 homes.
Six years later, another calamity struck: three consecutive landslides triggered by over 500 mm of rainfall claimed over 400 lives in the Wayanad region of Kerala. You can read about it here.
Once again, Lions rose to the occasion. MD 318 pledged Rs.50 million for rehabilitation, while LCIF promptly sanctioned a Catastrophe grant of US$100,000.
Within days of the flooding, LCIF awarded a US$100,000 Major Catastrophe grant to rebuild homes in the Lions’ communities.
In recognition of these extraordinary efforts, the Lions of Wayanad district, organized a poignant program on October 2, 2024. The event was held in honour of Lions Clubs and community members who supported the victims of the devastating landslide in Meppadi village on July 30, 2024.
The multi-faceted program seamlessly blended humanitarian support with cultural celebration; providing students from Mundakai School with financial aid and educational materials even as it featured vibrant cultural performances by prominent artists from Kerala. Many Lion dignitaries of District 318E participated.
A mission to help flood-ravaged communities. When severe floods swept through Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the monsoon season, Lions of District 321B1 launched a coordinated response across state borders, bringing aid to thousands left without homes, food, or basic necessities.
Supported by an LCIF Emergency Grant of US$10,000, clubs of the district, under the leadership of Governor Mukesh Jain, organized aid packages for affected families. Each of the 1,800 aid packages contained flour, rice, pulses, salt, sugar, cooking oil, and other daily essentials, along with blankets for warmth.
The emergency support mission covered three severely affected locations: Gonda, Balrampur, and Khatima in Nainital District, Uttarakhand.
On September 19, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Shri Brijesh Pathak flagged off three trucks carrying 600 packages each to these destinations, in the presence of District Governor Mukesh Jain, Vice District Governors R. C. Mishra and Paramjeet Singh, and several senior Lions. The Deputy Chief Minister commended Lions’ continued service initiatives throughout Uttar Pradesh.
Local Lions Clubs coordinated the distribution efforts in their respective regions:
Lions Clubs of Gonda Oudh and Gonda Sewa in Gonda; Balrampur Lions Club in Balrampur and Lions Clubs of Khatima, Khatima City, and Khatima Sewa in Khatima. These clubs, working alongside district administration and local leaders, ensured equitable distribution of crucial supplies, focusing particularly on rural areas.
Many clubs supplemented the LCIF-funded supplies with additional resources. Lions members in Lakhimpur and Gola also provided assistance to rain-affected communities using their clubs’ resources.
Ten minutes. That’s all it took for a devastating tornado to tear through Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal on March 31, 2024. The violent storm claimed five lives, left over a hundred injured, and reduced four villages to ruins. In its wake lay a trail of destruction that seemed impossible for such a brief event.
The storm’s lightning speed and intensity flattened dwellings so completely that belongings were scattered and could not be traced even in distant areas. Over 320 families were affected by the tornado.
Lions Clubs International Foundation stepped forward with an Emergency Grant of US$10,000 to District 322F. Seven Lions Clubs from the region – Lions Clubs of Mainaguri, Mainaguri Sewa, Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Genesis, Dhupguri, Falakata Banarhat, and Jaigaon – mobilized 40 members to coordinate the humanitarian efforts.
The clubs worked systematically, first identifying the most affected areas and forming volunteer teams for each village. The emergency supplies included rice, pulses, milk powder, cooking oil, and kitchen utensils.
“The immediate goal was to prevent hunger-related health issues and maintain basic food security during the crisis,” explained a member of the relief team. The initiative benefitted more than 300 affected families.
What began as an LCIF-funded project soon grew as local Lions Clubs and community members contributed additional resources. The Lions’ visible presence, marked by prominent display of LCIF and Lions International logos during distribution, helped strengthen community bonds during these challenging times.
The month-long humanitarian mission, conducted between April 3 and May 2, 2024, demonstrated how Lions’ timely intervention and systematic approach can make a crucial difference in disaster-struck communities. Through prompt humanitarian assistance and careful attention to basic needs, Lions helped these villages take their first steps toward recovery.
When an earthquake ravaged Saurashtra and Kutch in 2001, claiming 14,000 lives and destroying 200,000 homes, Lions Clubs International mounted one of its most significant reconstruction efforts in India.
The MD 3232 Gujarat Earthquake Relief Committee, supported by LCIF and individual donors, spearheaded an extensive rebuilding program. The initiative constructed 755 homes across Bhuj, Anjar, Mandvi, Morbi, Gandhidham, and Bet Dwarka. Twenty schools rose from the rubble in Morbi, Maliya, and Virnagar, restoring educational infrastructure for the affected communities.
A notable partnership with the Lakshmi Narayan Mittal Trust, which contributed Rs.1.20 crores, led to the establishment of the LNM Lions Hospital in Bhuj. Today, this facility stands as one of Kutch’s premier healthcare institutions, serving as a lasting testament to Lions’ commitment to long-term community recovery.
When the Auranga River swelled to dangerous levels in June 2022, threatening riverside communities in Gujarat’s Valsad district, local Lions swung into action.
The Valsad Tithal Road Lions Club of District 3232-F2 orchestrated vital relief operations for villages along the riverbank. Their targeted intervention provided 200 families in Hanuman Bhagda Village and surrounding areas with grocery kits and waterproof tarpaulins for temporary shelter. Club members pooled resources totaling Rs.4 lakhs to fund this initiative, which ultimately supported 800 individuals when accounting for family size.
The response of Lions Clubs in MD 3234 to three major catastrophes exemplifies their enduring spirit of service.
Latur Earthquake: A Landmark Relief Operation
The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Latur on September 30, 1993 claimed 9,775 lives, injured over 30,000, and left 50,000 homeless. The response of Lions was swift and comprehensive. Through an Emergency Appeal, Lions International collected US$200,000 for urgent support.
Additionally, Lions medical teams from across Maharashtra provided on-site emergency care, including mobile health units and ambulance services. The relief effort reached over 20,000 patients through dedicated health camps. Lions from the multiple constructed 500 temporary shelters and 200 permanent homes, while also distributing essential supplies including food, water, clothing, and household items.
Going beyond the initial response, Lions Clubs of MD 3234 also focused on providing educational supplies to students, offering vocational training and supporting livelihood restoration.
Jalgaon Jamod: Swift Response to Midnight Crisis
The flash floods that struck Jalgaon Jamod at midnight on July 22, 2023, caused extensive damage to homes, schools, crops and livestock. More than 70,000 people in and around Jalgaon Jamod, a small town in Maharashtra, were adversely impacted. Lions and Leo Clubs from District 3234-H2 quickly provided primary help to the affected people like food packets, safe drinking water and managed temporary shelters.
Within 2-3 days of the flash floods, LCIF sanctioned an Emergency Grant of US$10,000 to support the relief activities. Lions Clubs of Khamgaon, Nandura, Nandura Dnyanganga, Khamgaon Sanskruti, Khamgaon Silver City, and Khamgaon Leo Club, collaborated to distribute 1,600 kits containing blankets, bed sheets, and household essentials.
Lions Clubs International was presented the Best NGO Award by the Government of Maharashtra for its outstanding humanitarian response to the Latur Earthquake
Nanded: Community Support During Urban Flooding
Most recently, when floods inundated Nanded’s low-lying areas on September 2, 2024 affecting 20,000 residents, local Lions Clubs responded with customary speed – distributing meal packets and setting up temporary camps. Following an LCIF Emergency Grant of US$10,000, five clubs – Lions Clubs of Nanded Main, Nanded Midtown, Nanded Centre, Nanded Pride, and Nanded Angels – distributed 500 care packages containing 18 items.
From the earthquake-ravaged villages of Latur to the flood-swept streets of Vijayawada, Lions’ response showcases their fundamental strength: the ability to mobilize quickly, act locally, and sustain support through recovery. As climate challenges grow more complex, Lions Clubs continue to adapt and evolve their disaster response strategies, proving that service to humanity knows no boundaries. Through immediate relief, systematic rehabilitation, and unwavering commitment, Lions remain steadfast in their mission to serve communities in crisis, offering not just aid, but hope for a resilient tomorrow.