HPI
KAUAI, HAWAII, December 29, 2004: With the help of input from HPI readers, we’ve assembled the following list of organizations in several countries who are involved in the tsunami relief efforts. They include both organizations collecting money for the relief effort and those actually on the ground in India and Sri Lanka doing the work. This is not a complete list, but those listed here are well-known Hindu organizations with significant experience in relief work and reliable fund raising.
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, here, based in USA with offices in many countries. This is the NGO organization for aid to Sri Lanka prefered by Sri Lankans living in USA, Canada and other countries. TRO was established in the 80s to help refugees from the civil war. They are able to provide aid in critical, hard-to-reach areas of Sri Lanka. Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, 517 Old Town Road, Cumberland, Maryland 21502, USA. e-mail: info@trousa.org. Donations in the US are all tax-deductible.
India Development and Relief Fund, here, USA based, tax deductible in USA. Collecting money and funneling through Sewa Bharati, Jana Sankshema Samiti, Vivekananda Kendra and other NGOs in India.
BAPS Care International, here, USA branch. Swaminarayan organization under Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Contact: Shailendra Adroja; 1-732-744-1744. Checks payable to: BAPS Care International, Address: 195, Main Street, Suite # 304, Metuchen, New Jersey, 08840. Payments can also be made online. Working through BAPS in India, one of the prominent organizations in the Gujarat earthquake relief and Orissa cyclone. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, leader of BAPS, said yesterday in India, “The (tsunami has) caused much loss of life and destruction to property. It is the duty of us all to help in whatever way we can. It is our appeal to people all over the world to help in this time of the crisis. It is our duty to provide humanitarian aid. We appeal to all individuals, groups and nations to come forward and help in every way they can, as soon as possible.”
Sewa Bharathi Tamil Nadu, Shakti, 1, M V Street, Panchvati, Chetpet, Chennai, 60003, Tamil Nadu, Ph: 044-28361049, 28360243 E-mail: sevabharthitn@yahoo.com. Also Jana Sankshema Samiti, Madhava Sadhan, Kaleshwara Rao Road, Vijaywada, 520002, Andhra Pradesh. International donations for both Sewa Bharathi Tamil Nadu and Jana Sankshema Samiti should be sent to Sewa International, Apte Bhavan, 10196, D. B. Gupta Road, Jhandewala, New Delhi- 110055, India. Ph: 91-11-23517373, 23684445, E-mail: sewain@vsnl.com. Both are affiliated with the RSS, India’s largest volunteer social service organization with an extensive track record in disaster relief.
Exnora International, here, 20, Girriappa Road, T.Nagar, Chennai, 600017. HPI reader Rajesh Shankar writes, “They are a highly credible Indian NGO and I have personally seen their volunteers distributing, food, clothes, blankets, utensils these past 3 days. They can be reached on their special hot line +91 9840034900. They are among the very few NGO’s having a foot print and on the ground volunteers in places like Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, which are the worst affected.”
Chinmaya Mission, here. Chinmaya Mission head, Swami Tejomayananda writes, “You all are aware of the tragedy caused by the tsunami waves affecting various countries amongst which our mission centres are in India, Indonesia & Sri Lanka. Those of you who wish to contribute for relief work may do so depending upon their choice of country. In India, please send contributions to: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai, 400 072, INDIA Ph: +91-22 2857 2367 / 2828 / 5806. E-mail: ccmt@vsnl.com. In Sri Lanka, please send contributions to: Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka, R/F 48 Haig Road, Colombo 04, SRI LANKA, Ph: +94-11-2591344. E-mail: cmsl@sol.lk. Contributions can be made directly to the bank account. A/c No: 1150047966, Hatton National Bank, No. 293 Gale Road, Colombo 03. Swift Code: HB LI LK LX. For Indonesia – please send contributions to: Yayasan Keluarga Besar Chinmaya, Jl. Pandeglang No. 22 Menteng, Jakarta, 10340, INDONESIA Ph: +62-21-3144058 / 59. E-mail: camila@indosat.net.id. Contributions can be made directly to the bank account. A/c No: 0011810491, Bank Negara Indonesia, Kantor Cabang Utama Tebet, Jl. Prof. Dr. Soepomo, SH No. 25, Tebet – Jakarta Selatan. It must be clearly marked that the money being sent is meant for relief purposes. The money sent to India will be directed by Mission to the affected centres. Those in the UK who would like to contribute may send checks made out to “Chinmaya Mission UK” (please write “Earthquake/Tsunami relief” on the back and country the donation is meant for) and mail to: Chinmaya Mission UK, Signal House, Lyon Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2AG, UK.”
Malaysia Hindu Sangam, here. A press release states, “More than 30 Indian and Hindu based organizations met last night 28 Dec 2004 at the Malaysia Hindu Sangam Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and unanimously agreed to launch a Tsunamis Earthquake Relief Aid Programme to assist the victims in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Maldives. Donations are being accepted in cash or kind. See web site for collection locations. Checks should be made crossed A/C Payee only to Malaysia Hindu Sangam and sent to Hon.Treasurer, Malaysia Hindu Sangam, No. 8 Jalan Duku Off Jalan Kasipillay, 51200, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Please contact Malaysia Hindu Sangam Secretariat for more details at 03-40414669 / 4667, E-mail: relief@hindusangam.org.my; info@hindusangam.org.my
For a list of international organizations conducting relief efforts, see the BBC article here