The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund

Press Release
October 7 2009

Kiwis urged not to forget disaster in India

IN the midst of so many disasters this month TEAR Fund is urging Kiwis not to forget about southern India which has been affected by heavy rains with a death toll of more than 250 and a displaced population of 2.5 million.

In terms of the scale of disasters, India ranks highly both in terms of loss of life and displacement yet it has been overshadowed by what has been happening elsewhere, said TEAR Fund acting executive director, Jon Horne.

After a record drought, floods triggered by torrential rains, swept away homes in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Most of the deaths were reported from where rivers topped or breached their embankments. Deaths also occurred in the western Maharashtra state.

Mr Horne said, “New Zealand has a strong Indian community and many of them will be affected by this tragedy, and worried for family members.”

Through its in-country partners TEAR Fund is already responding to the disaster, described as the worst in several decades. TEAR Fund will provide food and other essential items to desperate families, many of whom have lost everything. Already millions are cramming into displacement camps all over the affected states.

Along with the loss of lives and homes, floodwaters swamped millions of acres of cropland, including sugarcane plantations. This will be a big concern as many rely on sugarcane for their livelihoods, said Mr Horne. It is estimated that more than 5 Million people have been affected by the floods.

To give to this disaster the public can go to www.tearfund.org,nz or ring 0800 800 777.

ENDS

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