Bihar Flood Devastates 3 Million Lives
The recent floods in Bihar have wrought devastation in over 3 million
lives. 24 of the 38 districts in Bihar, an area of over 390 sq miles,
are under water. Over 850,000 people have been evacuated. Five
districts—Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Saharsa and Purnia—have been the
worst hit. Families have been displaced from their homes, crops and
cattle have been lost, as have the means of a livelihood. Flood water
has damaged roads and railroads, making it difficult to reach the
hardest hit areas. Phone lines are down; the power is out. The Indian
Army, the Central and State Government, and various NGOs are working
around the clock but that is not enough. Damages are estimated to be
more than 5 billion Rupees. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan
Singh, has declared the situation in Bihar "a national calamity."
The consequences of this crisis will persist for years to come. With
the monsoon rains still beating down, it will take considerable time
for the flood water to drain off. When the flood waters finally do
recede, the hard task of rebuilding lives must begin. Shelter,
clothing, food, and medical assistance are going to be necessities
beyond this emergency period. Since the Kosi River has changed its
course, residents of that area cannot hope to go back to their home
at all. Massive rehabilitation efforts are needed.
It is the need of the hour that each one of us helps out in whatever
way we can. You can donate money, volunteer yourself, and mobilize
others! Bay Area organizations led by the American Organization for
Development of Bihar (AODB) and Bihar Samaj, along with American
India Foundation , FIA-NC, FIBA, FIJIANA, India Community Center,
ILP, Prabasi, Sewa International, Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, TiE and
UPMA are working together to raise funds and support local reputed
NGOs to help in the relief work.
We are holding a fundraising event: National Bihar Relief Day on
Friday, Oct 17, 2008 at India Community Center (ICC), 525 Los Coches
St, Milpitas. Further details on this will follow shortly.
We urge you to step forward in this time of disaster of catastrophic
proportions and show your support. Tax deductible donations can be
made online at www.aodb.org
Contact: roysujay@...
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Ranjan Rituraj Sinh , NOIDA
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http://daalaan.blogspot.com
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