FoodRelief.org: Tamil Nadu Tsunami and Earthquake Relief


May 13th, 2008	A nonprofit charitable organization operating in India and the United States

Urgent Relief Needed for Tamil Nadu

Tsunami and Earthquake Victims

[ Instructions for donating below; all donations are 501(c)3 tax deductible. ]

[ More photos at the bottom of this page. ]

Dear friends and devotees,

Jaya Sri Rama. Please accept my humble pranams.

We are all very saddened by 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 enter the donation amount in the box below:

(Donations may also by sent by check with the words 'Tamil Nadu Relief' in the memo field.***)

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

***Donations sent by check should be made payable to "Bhaktivedanta International Charities" and sent to:

Bhaktivedanta International Charities

P.O.Box 34153
Los Angeles, CA 90034
United States of America