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 preferred 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
Added December 30, 2004:
Manitha Neyam Trust, here, US-based with parent organization in Sri Lanka, tax-deductible in USA. Suresh Sivasithamparam writes, “Our mother organization in Sri Lanka will purchase the necessary dry food and other essential items such as clothes, mats, bed sheets, pillows etc and send them to affected areas in the North and East for distribution through Mr. T. Rasanayagam, Government Agent, Killinochi to the victims in the Mullaitivu & Killinochi districts and organizations such as YMHA and/or other Religious and Relief Organizations in Battiocaloa district.” Checks may be sent to Treasurer, Manitha Neyam Trust Inc., Earthquake and Flood Relief Effort, 97 Charter Road, Acton, MA 01720
All India Movement for Seva, founded and coordinated by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, here., US donations tax-deductible. Swami writes, “The devastations caused by the tsunami are all over the media. Any help has to be through a committed team of people engaged in the very areas where the people need various forms of attention and help. The All India Movement for Seva people are very much right in Chennai, Pondicherry, Nagapatnam district and other coast areas doing relief work. Our swamis, all over India, are collecting materials and funds. This work is going on, on a war footing.” All India Movement for Seva, Box 639, Saylorsburg, PA 18353, USA.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, here, tax deductible. Contributions should be payable to VHPA, marked “Tsunami Victims” and sent to VHPA, PO BOX 441505, Houston, TX, 77244. Gaurang Vaishnav writes, “VHP of America will be sending funds to Vivekananda Rural Development Society which is a non-profit, tax exempt organization engaged in Social service work in Tamilnadu. Volunteers of VHP (Bharat) are already on the scene and engaged in providing relief to the affected families. Shree Ashok Singhal, working President, VHP is currently touring the affected areas to get firsthand knowledge and assess the situation. It is felt that the most affected community is that of the fishermen and VHP will be concentrating on helping them. VHP is starting with the idea of adopting five villages. This would mean total reconstruction of the villages, similar to the work done in Kutch, Gujarat after the 2001 earthquake. It is estimated that each basic house of 250 sq. ft. will cost aound Rs. 75,000. VHP of America will join the efforts of VHP, Bharat, by collecting sufficient funds to rebuild more villages.”
International Association for Human Values, in association with Art of Living Foundation, here. Donations are tax-deductible through US office, and in many other countries through the local office, including Canada. IAHV and Art of Living Foundation are both international NGOs in special consultative status with the United Nations and present in 142 countries worldwide, has issued an world wide appeal for contributions towards immediate relief and rehabilitation work in regions that have been affected by devastating tidal waves in South Asia. More than 500 volunteers of Art of Living Foundation have already started relief work in the worst affected areas in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Medicines, clothes, food and other relief material are being distributed to affected families in Chennai. A special team has been established which is making an assessment in terms of short term needs and long term rehabilitation needs. Art of Living volunteers will also be setting up trauma relief camps to recoup from the shock and trauma the victims are undergoing due to the disaster. In the USA, checks may be sent to IAHV, 12121 Quadrille Lane, Bowie, MD 20720. Contact: Filiz Odabaz (US Contact). Email: filiz@iahv.org. Phone: (202) 363-2136.
M. A. Center, here, US branch of Amritananda Ashram. M. A. Center, P. O. Box 613, San Ramon, CA 94583.