This is the second enormous natural calamity that has struck South Asia this year. With Pakistan already claiming over 20000 deaths, and numerous more deaths in Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir, the situation is looking quite grim.

The affected area is in the less accessible parts of both countries. In addition, this region has been wracked by political violence and instability. For these reasons, getting aid into these areas will be quite difficult.

It is also important to remember that winter is approaching and winters in these areas get quite harsh. It is imperative that shelters be rebuilt soon so that the affected communities can get through winter.

A number of groups have already sent out calls for help. A couple of these groups include:

In a year where a number of high profile calamities have already caused extensive fund raising, it is not clear how much international help is forthcoming. Under these conditions, the larger South Asian community needs to help.

One site that is providing extensive coverage is http://quakehelp.blogspot.com/

We are requesting various recommendations from Pakistan regarding groups and efforts that would be best for the larger South Asian community to send in their support. One organization based in the USA that is collecting funds is Association for Development of Pakistan. Its funds are directed towards Edhi Foundation and the President’s Earthquake Relief Fund. The Edhi Fund has received good reviews from numerous independent sources in Pakistan. Edhi International Foundation contact information in USA is 42-07 National Street, Corona, NY 11368, USA, (718) 335-1978.
Another group that has received good reviews is the Sungi Foundation. Along with other civic groups in Islamabad, a joint effort is being led to help relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas. Sungi and other civil society organizations have arranged special
vehicles to collect and send necessary supplies from Islamabad to the
disaster areas. Goods can be dropped off at the following address: Sungi Development Foundation: House No. 7-A, Street No. 10, Sector F-8/3, Islamabad. Tel (2282481-2). Contact persons at Sungi Islamabad: Naeem Iqbal, Riaz Ahmed and
Francisco D'Sa (0300-9562063). Email: Naeem.iqbal@sungi.org, riaz.ahmad@sungi.org

We are asking South Asians from all over the world to help with funds directed towards these organizations.

In India, the areas affected include Jammu and Kashmir as well as certain parts of Punjab. The losses have been smaller and the government has been active in some relief. In Jammu and parts of Kashmir governed by India, the Indian Army has also set up relief camps and clinics to help victims. Times of India reported that the Indian government had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims of Jammu and Kashmir and another Rs 42 crore would be provided from the Natural Calamity Fund.

In Delhi, Asha Parivar is working to help with relief and rehabilitation. They are collecting funds and goods (Clothes, Utensils, Medicines, Tents, Food,
Donations, Blankets, Pullovers). The group could be contacted by writing to aid_rajeshwar@yahoo.com or calling Rajeshwar at 91-9871406142 or Faisal at Faisal - 91-9313106745.

For South Asians in the USA, this is a call for working together. Joint fund raisers will be important to match calls for funds coming from Pakistan. It will also be a statement recognizing all our humanness. Support for peace marches and interactions are important but it is in times like this that solidarity is critical and really counts.

In the last few years, numerous NGOs in India have built experience in relief and rehabilitation – in distribution of resources as well as rehabilitation plans including short term shelter, hygiene management for prevention of outbreak of diseases, programs and counseling to keep up the morale, building of earthquake resistant houses among others. Exchange of such information is important.

For more information, please email thesouthasian@gmail.com

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