Help Support Families and Rebuild Communities in Uttarakhand

Appeal from:

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Lata Krishnan, Chair
Pradeep Kashyap, Vice Chair
Vimal Bahuguna, Board Member
Sridar Iyengar, Board Member
American India Foundation [/column][column grid=”2″ span=”1″]

Kailash Joshi (US)
Vijay Bist (US)
Renu Bhatt (UMA)
Anoop Nautiyal (INDIA)
UMA & the Diaspora Organizations (umaus.org)[/column]

Dear Friend,

In the wake of the “Himalayan Tsunami”, where unprecedented floods have created a major disaster in Uttarakhand state of India, many thousand people are missing and presumed dead, towns have been obliterated, and nearly every man made structure including significant famous pilgrimage sites have been destroyed or damaged. The volume of loss and those missing is still in a state of speculation due to the extreme havoc wreaked in this disaster. By some accounts, up to one million people have been directly and indirectly affected – impacting people as far away as Nepal.

While natural disasters are inherently environmental, the pace and carelessness of human development in recent decades in this isolated, hilly state magnified the worst disaster in India since the 2004 tsunami. Construction of roads and hotels on fragile river banks as well as hydroelectric projects in watersheds have contributed to a higher number of landslides and flooding. While the relief efforts of India’s army and organizations are to be commended, much more is needed.

To rebuild the foundation and heal these communities, we understand both the need – and power – for collective action. We are therefore proud to announce a partnership between the nation’s leading India philanthropic organization, American India Foundation (AIF), and Uttarakhand Mandal of America (UMA @umaus.org), a Silicon Valley social and charitable organization representing the Uttarakhand Diaspora.

Your support will:

1. Rebuild an entire village or villages
2. Provide women’s occupational training programs
3. Establish a telemedicine network for areas without doctors
4. Fund selected other projects

100% of your dollars will go to assist victims and rebuild communities. Any overhead expenses are covered through separate donations for this purpose.