SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE: Donating
to Relief Efforts
What
are some groups doing really good work?
How
can I support these efforts?
What are some groups doing really
good work?
In light of the
human tragedy that has unfolded in South Asia, it is heartening to note
that an incredible array of non-governmental organizations have stepped
up to do relief and rehabilitation work. We in particular recommend
supporting these grassroots NGOs in Pakistan and India:
Edhi Foundation
Edhi foundation is a highly trusted NGO in Pakistan
with a large operational network throughout the country, including
areas that were severely affected by the earthquake. They were one of
the first organizations that reached the disaster scene with supplies
and relief, and have recieved widespread praise for their commendable
work in the days following the earthquake. Their website is at http://www.paks.net/edhi-foundation/
Edhi's offices in the US are at
42-07 National Street
Corona, NY 11368
Tel:
(718) 639-5120
Email:
edhi@cyber.net.pk
Joint
Action Committee - Earthquake Relief Efforts
The
Joint Action Committee (JAC) is a joint platform of civil society
organizations that are working towards human rights, democracy and
justice. This committee, which consists of SUNGI
Development Foundation, Aurat
Foundation, The Network for Consumer Rights, Pattan Development
Organization, Rozan, Action Aid, and The Sustainable
Development Policy Institute(SDPI), are now involved in relief and
relief and rehabiliation work. These organizations
have long worked with local communities in the
region of the earthquake and are thus able to access remote villages
through social networks that are not available to the military and
large donor organizations. If people want to contribute to the
combined relief effort of JAC, they can send money directly to SUNGI
or SDPI.
Sungi Development
Foundation - http://www.sungi.org
US
Dollar account no. 412-2; Branch Code: 0585
Muslim
Commercial Bank Star Branch (Branch Code 0585)
Abbotabad,
Pakistan
Swift
Code: MUCBPKKAA
For
more info.: Naeem Iqbal at naeem.iqbal<at>sungi<dot>org
or Riaz Ahmed at riaz.ahmad<at>sungi<dot>org
Association
for the Development of Pakistan, USA
The Association for the
Development of Pakistan (ADP) is a voluntary non-profit
organization committed to enhancing the lives of the poor, neglected
and underprivileged of Pakistan by providing support for carefully
selected social development projects in a range of sectors including
infrastructure, environment, healthcare, education, gender equality,
labor and food rights.
ATHROT is a
collective effort of independent voluntary organizations and
individuals including Jammu
and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, Jammu and Kashmir Yateem
Foundation, Help Poor Voluntary Trust, Friends of Humanity,
Student’s Helpline, Kashmiri Women’s Initiative for Peace
and Disarmament, Apna Ghar, Youth for Humanity, Bar Association Budgam
and students from Kashmir University.
Donations
in the U.S. can be made via Indians
for Collective Action - http://www.icaonline.org
Or
through intermediary Bank: - American Express Bank New York
SWIFT
NO. AEIBUS33
Beneficiary
Bank: - A/C No. 00197723
Jammu
and Kashmir Bank Ltd.
B/O
Polo View SGR
SWIFT
NO. JAKAINBB
Beneficiary:
A/C No. SB 1169
J&K
Yateem Foundation
In
Jammu & Kashmir, donations in Cash may be deposited at
Jammu
and Kashmir Bank, Polo view Branch, JKYF account # SB 1169
Association for
India's Development - Jammu and Kashmir Fund
Association for India's
Development, Inc. (AID)
is a voluntary non-profit organization committed to promoting
sustainable, equitable and just development in India by working with
grassroots organizations and movements in India. AID has set up a
Jammu and Kashmir Fund, and the money raised will be directed to
its partners - grassroots level NGOs that are currently working in the
affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Donations to this fund can be made
ONLINE.
AID
has a commendable track record in disaster relief, rehabilitation work,
and in facilitating solutions that are just, equitable and sustainable,
as evidenced by their recent efrorts in the context of the
South/South-East Asian Tsunami.
SEEDS, India
SEEDS is a Delhi-based disaster management group and was involved in
relief work after the Gujarat earthquake and in the Andaman &
Nicobar Islands following the Tsunami. Currently, they have several
teams working on the ground in Kashmir. Donations can be made via Indians for Collective Action.
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How can
I support these efforts?
You can DIRECTLY contribute
to relief and rehabilitation efforts being spearheaded by Edhi
Foundation, SUNGI Development Foundation, Association for the
Development of Pakistan, and Association for India's
Development, by attending BEYOND BORDERS - A Benefit
for Survivors of the South Asian Earthquake.
Friends
of South Asia and Ekta, in coalition with an array of organizations in
the SF Bay
Area, including many groups of the South Asian diaspora, have come
together to show solidarity towards earthquake survivors on both sides
of the border, and contribute to the important cause of relief and
rehabilitation.
By
purchasing tickets to this benefit event, you get to attend a
great concert featuring artists of varied styles and following -
including Indian/Pakistani classical (vocal and instrumental), spoken
word, dance, and much more. But more importantly, every dollar you
contribute by way of ticket purchase or donation, will go directly
towards earthquake relief.
This
means, if you buy a $10 ticket, you are contributing $10 to
earthquake relief, and if you buy a $50 ticket, you get yourself a
great seat at the show, plus you contribute $50 towards earthquake
relief!!
Funds
raised by ticket sales and donations will be distributed at
approximately 80:20 ratio between organizations in Pakistan and India.
For relief on the Pakistan side, funds will be disbursed among Edhi
Foundation and Sungi
Development Foundation via Association for Development of
Pakistan (ADP)
which is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization.
For relief on the Indian side, funds will be disbursed to Association for India's Development (AID)'s Jammu
and Kashmir Fund.
To
buy tickets NOW, click here.
If
you are unable to attend the event, but still wish to contribute to
relief efforts, you can donate as follows: (via EKTA, one of the
organizers of the benefit event)
Please make a contribution ONLINE,
or by check payable to “EKTA”
and sent to:
EKTA
P.O. Box 2302
Berkeley, CA 94702-0302
Please make sure to write "Earthquake Relief"
or the beneficiary organization you wish to donate towards (i.e. ADP,
AID, Edhi or Sungi) in the "Designation" field online or in the "Memo"
line on your check.
All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of
the law. EKTA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit registered
in the State of California. EKTA's tax ID # is 91-2143894.
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