CALL TO HELP THE FLOOD VICTIMS OF BIHAR
Grassroots Media
Dear Madam/Sir,
Most of us are aware through media reports that Bihar is facing worst tragedy as there is massive flood in North Bihar. According to the latest media reports the catastrophe has created massive loss of lives, displacement of millions of people, damage of millions of hectare of standing crops, acute scarcity of drinking water especially in submerged areas, total destruction of food stocks/houses, and much more. More and more gruesome stories are being reported in media everyday. Considering the ferocity of the floods and damages caused thereof the Prime Minister of India has declared it as National Calamity. Some highlights of the devastation caused by national calamity are:
· The districts most affected are Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Khagaria, Araria, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Katihar, etc.
· Over 30 lakhs (3 million) people are affected and uprooted leaving their homes, property, animals, families, and everything (Star News, 31 August 2008). 55 confirmed dead so far; Action Aid reports 2000 missing, presumed dead.
· In Madhepura district, 11 out of 13 blocks including Madhepura town have submerged under 6-ft deep (Times of India, 31 August 2008).
· Government of Bihar is falling short of rescuing the people who are trapped amid excessive flood waters. The rescue and relief crews are not able to reach the people in far remote village.
· Roads, highways, rail tracks are all submerged and damaged. Therefore, the boats remain to be the only mean to rescue the people, but the Government has no adequate number of boats
· Those who have somehow saved their lives or been rescued are staying at nearest dry places: railway stations, school building, other such public places.
· They need immediate help in terms of food, temporary shelter, clothes, medicines, etc.
GRASSROOTS INDIA TRUST, Labour League Foundation, SEWA, SHARA and PARA in collaboration of several organizations of Bihar have decided to contribute in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Bihar. We have formed three teams of committed social development workers and volunteers for delivering the relief material to the flood victims wherever they have been staying at the moment. Our national team based at Patna/Delhi coordinates the relief work and fundraising, while the state team executes the actual relief work.
In first stage, our relief work includes quick delivery of FOOD, TEMPORARY SHELTER, and MEDICINES to the flood victims. In the second stage, we'll support flood victims in rehabilitation and reconstruction works. At each stage we'll be working in line with the government agencies, national and international relief agencies.
Arrangements of Execution of Relief Work:
(1) Two persons coordinate the relief work at Relief Camps. They procure all the needed relief material from Delhi, Patna and Bhagalpur, ensure safe transportation till the place of actual delivery, maintain all financial records, ensure guaranteed delivery to the victims, do monitoring of the relief work, and so on.
(2) Two senior persons from the associated NGOs and 3 local volunteers lead the Relief Work being delivered. Total 15 persons are delivering the relief work.
(3) First relief consignment having food, medicines and shelter material is reaching by 14-15 September 2008 in Araria district, which is most neglected in terms of relief delivery.
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WE APPEAL ALL THE CONCERNED TO CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME FOR PEOPLE OF BIHAR. PLEASE ACT IMMEDIATELY!
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In hope of hearing from you,
H. ARJJUMEND DR. M. MUKHTAR ALAM, PhD
Social-Impact Fellow Founder, Centre for Ecological Audit &
& Alumni Commonwealth Fellow Chairman, Labour League Foundation
Executive Director, Grassroots India Trust
NB: Please CIRCULATE this Appeal in your network. Appeal is also visible on our website: www.grassroots.org.in, with Full Version at: www.grassroots.org.in/emergency.html .
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MODE OF PAYMENT OF DONATIONS:
In Cash/Kind:
· Deposit at Our Collection Centres in Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali
By Cheque (from India):
· Drawn in favour of GRASSROOTS INDIA TRUST payable at New Delhi.
Drop the cheque in nearest ATM of AXIS Bank (write the a/c 279010100007207) or Send it by post to:
Administrator, Grassroots India Trust, 301 H-51/E, A. F. Enclave, Okhla, New Delhi–110025
By Cheque (from Foreign country):
· Drawn in favour of SEWA payable at New Delhi (FCRA No. 231660884).
Send it by post to: Secretary, SEWA, BVK 3/4, New Seelampur (Brahmpuri Mod), Delhi – 110 053 India
By direct Bank Transfer (from India):
· Name of Account Holder: Grassroots India Trust
Account Number: 279010100007207
Name of Bank: AXIS Bank
Address of Bank: 18 Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110 002
SWIFT Code: CHASUS33
By direct Bank Transfer (from Foreign country):
· Name of Account Holder: SEWA
Account Number: SB/CA 3092000100198100
Name of Bank: Punjab National Bank
Address of Bank: 4, L-Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001
SWIFT Code: PUNB INBBDOD
In case of any query please contact the following:
Dr. M. Mukhtar Alam, Chairman Labour League Foundation, 62A, DDA Flats, Ashok Vihar-III, Delhi – 110 052
Tel: +91-9968345380 E-mail: mukhtar...@yahoo.com
Mr. H. Arjjumend, Executive Director, Grassroots India Trust, 1st Floor, Royal Apartment, J-68 A. F. Enclave, Okhla, New Delhi – 110025, Tel: +91-9868993710 E-mail: grassroots...@gmail.com, tr...@grassroots.org.in Website: www.grassroots.org.in, www.grassrootsglobal.net
* When you send a Cheque or Transfer the amount, kindly intimate through e-mail or by post to all or any of the above contacts.
TRANSPARENCY STANDARD
Time to time, the details of donation receipts and the expenditures along with the progress of the relief work done will be placed this website: www.grassroots.org.in/biharfloodrelief-progress.html .
Names of donors contributing Rs. 2000 or above (or its equivalent) will also be placed on the website: www.grassroots.org.in/biharfloodrelief-progress.html .
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GRASSROOTS MEDIA INITIATIVE
1st Floor, 50 A, Street 17, Zakir Nagar
Opp. New Friends Colony A-Block
Okhla, New Delhi - 110 025 India
Tel: 011-26955452, 09868993710 Fax: +91-11-26936366
E-mail: grassrootsme...@gmail.com
Web: www.grassrootsglobal.net/cndc/gmi
Contact: Hasrat Arjjumend, Secretary
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GMI promotes application of media & communication in development of poor and eradication of poverty and hunger through capacity building, research and mainstreaming of voices of voiceless.