HOUSTON, TEXAS, September 5, 2005: The Houston Chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. (“HSS”), continues to work toward assisting evacuees affected by Hurricane Katrina. With its citywide presence, HSS has been able to offer support to several shelters located away from the Astrodome. HSS branches in Clear Lake, Pearland, and Katy have contributed supplies and volunteers to shelters there. Notably, four volunteer physicians in the Pearland branch have had the opportunity to provide Katrina evacuees with medical care. Similarly, the Katy branch has even suggested leading yoga classes for the adults and play activities for the children. All these branches will also be providing volunteers on a recurring basis for the next several days. Additionally, HSS branches in Baytown and Spring have collected supplies to contribute to shelters in their communities and will contribute volunteers as well as opportunities become available. HSS has also contributed to the Astrodome shelter as well, with both volunteers and supplies. To this end, HSS made a significant donation of 2,000 personal care kits, assembled with help of over 20 volunteers. As long as evacuees will be housed in area shelters, the Houston Chapter of HSS will continue to provide support.
A second report from HSS reads, “San Antonio city has housed more than 25,000 Kathrina Victims. On September 3 and 4 our volunteers swung into action to help the victims. All volunteers are registered as a Red Cross volunteer, an official agency giving relief to the victims. We have noticed acute medicines shortages, food shortages and blanket/pillow shortages during the first day. In, fact more than 3,000 victims could not be provided food in a timely fashion. Food Incharge of Red Cross Peter requested us to provide 500+ sandwiches on a emergency basis. 22 of our sewa volunteers (most of them are from TCS software engineers) immediately came to our help. In 3 hours we have procured all supplies, made sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, it appears from the pictures) and delivered them to the Red Cross. They were distributed in 20 minutes to the people waiting in the line. TCS has agreed to give up to 10 volunteers a day in San Antonio for the sewa services to Kathrina victims. We were the only non-Americans providing help in this relief camp and it was very much appreciated by the local Red Cross. We are mobilizing the local Indian doctors group with AAPI’s help to provide the continuous relief to these victims. Dr. Vijay Koli, National President AAPI, Dr. Jayesh Shah and Dr. Venkat Srinivasan are in the forefront in giving these services. Dr. Malathi Koli has started the counselling services to the victims. The whole Indian community has been mobilized with the Hindu Temple of San Antonio’s help to give the relief to these victims on a continuous basis for next few months.”
HPI adds: Other reports include information that the Indian Association of Mississippi is collecting funds for the refugees, and that several Hindu temples have held special prayer services for the victims and their families. The BAPS temple in New Jersey is raising funds.