Urgent Relief Needed for Tamil Nadu Tsunami and Earthquake Victims

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Jaya Sri Rama. Please accept my humble pranams.

 

We are all very saddened about the terrible devastation that has fallen on our

brothers and sisters in South India and other parts of the world.

 

In response to the recent tsunami, the Bhaktivedanta Ashram is arranging a team

of volunteers in Tamil Nadu to begin relief work to help the victims. Relief

activities are expected to begin on Thursday, December 30th. Within several days

an additional team of volunteers from our Orissa ashram will join them to

provide further relief supplies including basic necessities for children and

their families. Due to the long term effects of this disaster, the Bhaktivedanta

Ashram plans to open a permanent relief center in Chennai so that relief

activities can continue even after the immediate media attention dies down. With

our past experience of the Orissa cyclone in 1999 we know that such disasters

lead to long term difficulties for the victims that continue even after the

relief organizations leave. With that in mind we are planning to maintain our

relief center in Tamil Nadu permanently so that we can continue caring for those

in need, especially the children who are affected by this disaster.

 

Reports indicate that the death toll in India has reached over 12,500 so far,

with children accounting for up to a third of all the dead. Health reports state

that the spread of disease could kill as many people in the coming weeks.

 

In such a situation with millions of displaced people suffering in need of food

and clothing it seems an impossible task, but we should not let this discourage

us. Let every one of us help in whatever little way we can.

 

We humbly request all those with sufficient means to donate towards the tsunami

relief work in Tamil Nadu. To donate by credit card you may visit our website

and enter your donation through our secure server:

 

http://www.foodrelief.org

 

Donations may also by sent by check made payable to " Bhaktivedanta International

Charities " with the words 'Tamil Nadu Relief' in the memo field:

 

Bhaktivedanta International Charities

P.O.Box 34153

Los Angeles, CA 90034

United States of America

 

I would like to again thank all of our friends and donors who have contributed

towards our projects in the past and request everyone to offer whatever service

they can, regardless of how small, to help this urgent cause.

 

Yours in service,

 

Jahnava Nitai Das,

Bhaktivedanta Ashram &

Bhaktivedanta International Charities

http://www.foodrelief.org