saja.org :: Hurricane Katrina

South Asian Analysts/Experts Who Can Discuss Katrina

Congressman Bobby Jindal, R-Louisiana - represents New Orleans and is the first South Asian in Congress in more than 50 years. Updates from BobbyJindal.com
DC phone: 202-225-3015
See Sept. 8 WSJ op-ed, Deadly Bureaucracy
Devika Koppikar
Press Secretary
U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland),
Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus
(202) 225-4289 (office) or (202) 225-4025 (cell)
Sudeep Reddy, energy reporter, Dallas Morning News,
frequent guest on NPR and Texas TV to talk about
Katrina's effect on energy industry
sreddy [at] dallasnews.com
Vijay Vaitheeswaran, author "Power to the People,
worldwide energy and environment correspondent, The Economist, also frequently on NPR
http://www.vijaytothepeople.com
Asian American Hotel Owners Association - representing the thousands of motel and hotel owners (despite the name, it's a South Asian group, not one representing the larger Asian American community) see info below on its efforts, (404) 816-5759

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South Asian Relief Operations and Story Ideas

Sikh team rescues scriptures from Gurdwara
NPR: Hindu Priests Providing Comfort (click on "listen to the story" and go to 4:30)

NOTE: SAJA does not endorse the fundraising efforts of any of these groups and encourages donors to conduct their own research into the missions of the groups and their track record with disaster relief.
AAHOA, Asian American Hotel Owners Association
As we see the full impact of Hurricane Katrina, it is clear that hundreds of thousands of people are in need of help, some of whom now lack the most basic necessities of life. In response, AAHOA will be making a contribution of $100,001 toward the relief efforts through the American Red Cross and other initiatives. On a local level, AAHOA members are doing a tremendous job in helping people in need in many places. It is heartening to hear that our members are doing such things as:
* Extending complimentary rooms
* Providing food and other essentials to storm refugees
* Opening up lobby areas as sleeping quarters
* Traveling on site to hoteliers in need with baskets of food
* Collecting tens of thousands of dollars in donations for relief efforts.
We, the AAHOA members, are part of a diverse American culture, which has enabled us to achieve our “American Dream.” To show our commitment, loyalty and solidarity with our fellow Americans we have launched a campaign to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf States. All funds collected will be turned over to the American Red Cross and other charities.
While AAHOA will be making a contribution of $100,001 toward the relief efforts, we also want to encourage each of you to help in any way you can. Here are some ways you can do that:
* Send a check, payable to the AAHOA - Hurricane Relief Fund, to the AAHOA office at 66 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. All funds collected will be turned over to the American Red Cross and other charities.
* Donate free room nights at your property by:
* Visiting your local American Red Cross to donate rooms.
* Sending an E-mail to the AAHOA office at roomnights@aahoa.com with your complimentary room allotment. All rooms collected will be coordinated with FEMA and/or the American Red Cross.
* Coordinating with FEMA to donate rooms. While FEMA would certainly appreciate complimentary rooms, they may be willing to pay for rooms as needed. Send an E-mail to FEMA with your room allotment at private.sector@dhs.gov. If you are allotting rooms on a complimentary basis, please indicate as such in your e-mail. We will continue to explore other ways in which AAHOA and its members can assist in the national effort to recover from this disastrous situation.
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, GOPIO
GOPIO is a secular, non-partisan, not-for-profit, international
organization based in USA with chapters in various parts of the
globe, representing the interests and aspirations of People of Indian
Origin (PIOs), and promoting awareness and understanding of issues of
concern -- social, cultural, educational, economic, or political, to
global NRI/PIO community.
Checks to: GOPIO International
c/o Haresh Panchal, Treasurer
134 Sweet Berry Ct., San Jose CA 95439
408-772-8745
National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA)
6912 Winter Lane, Annandale VA 22003
(703) 642-3156
ranand2@csulb.edu
www.nfia.net
Rajen Anand (703) 642-3156
Radha Krishnan (248) 682-2106
Pramod Kamdar (210) 408-0959
Niraj Baxi (408) 307-9845
Aug. 30: NFIA WILL RAISE FUNDS TO HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), an umbrella organization of various other associations representing Americans who trace their roots to India has launched a campaign to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina that has caused havoc in the Gulf States. All funds collected will be handed over to the American Red Cross and other charities.
“Images on television of helicopters plucking frantic survivors from rooftops, the catastrophic destruction of entire towns left in the path of powerful hurricane that has caused the loss of life of thousands of people and made hundreds of thousands homeless in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are bound to affect every human being,” observed Rajen Anand, president of the NFIA. “The hurricane Katrina’s howling, lethal force has dealt an immense blow to the region and the dimensions of destruction are unfathomable,” he added.
The tax deductible checks payable to the NFIA-Hurricane Relief Fund should be sent to NFIA 6912 Winter Lane, Annandale VA 22003.
Further information can be obtained by calling (703) 642-3156.
American Hindu Association http://www.americanhindu.net/Katrina.htm
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), an umbrella organization of various other associations has set up a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The entire amount of money collected will be handed over to the American Red Cross for providing assistance to the hurricane victims.
Tax deductible checks payable to NFIA Hurricane Relief Fund should be sent to
NFIA
6912 Winter Lane
Annandale VA 22003.
Further information can be obtained by calling (703) 642-3156.
Islamic Council of North America - a humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human sufferings in emergency and disaster situations at home and abroad.
HOUSTON-BASED EFFORTS
Volunteering in Houston: To serve food and help at George Brown Convention
Center, please call
Hemendra Pal 713 306-2408 or Dhiraj Rathi 713-384-0068
Email to dhiraj_rathi@yahoo.com Write VOLUNTEER and
your name on the
subject line

Computer assistance need: The ACT Center (Astrodome Community Technology Center)
was set up in Astrodome. For more information, go to the blog on our
site at http://www.techforall.org We will be organizing to develop other sites. Pl Email kann@pdq.net if you want to help/coordinate with technology.

Food: Take food items to Food Bank or designated HEBs. If
you need list of
locations and items, please email kann@pdq.net

Housing: If you wish to accommodate some people in your home
contact shelter
committee, prdesai1@yahoo.com. Sundaram " Sundy"
Srinivasan,
281-2851381,
Mob: 713-894962

All Houston-area Indo-American organizations will consolidate
through Indo-American Charities Sheela Rao
713-464-7780, With help from
IAF Harvinder Arora 281-980-1700 & ICC, Houston Vale
Subramaniyam 281-685-0081
San Francisco/Bay Area Efforts

Hidaya, a Pakistani-American org
Waseem Baloch, founder, can provide info about relief effots
A good resource for involvement of Pakistani Americans is WikiPakistan, run by Sabahat Ashraf, ifaqeer [at] gmail.com
Association for India's Development, AID
Please note that AID is not soliciting contributions for Hurricane Katrina as AID's relief expertise and
sphere of influence are India-focussed. It has instead requested its volunteers and supporters to directly provide support and monetary contributions to sincere and committed community groups and organizations directly involved in hurricane relief efforts.
See its efforts nationwide
India Development & Relief Fund, IDRF
Our volunteers in and Baton Rouge, LA are working with American Red Cross and local voluntary organizations to assist in providing relief efforts. There is a need for long term rehabilitation and all your contributions will be directed to the grass roots organizations.
Suresh Deopura
Phone: (510) 573-5100
Email: suresh@dewsoftware.com
Babulal Gupta
Phone: (309) 663-9198
Email: Idrf_blg@yahoo.com
Raghu Verabelli
Phone: (781) 270-2349
Email: idrfboston@yahoo.com Vijay Pallod
Phone: (281) 568-4995
Email: pallod@aol.com
Please make check payable to ‘IDRF’ (mention ‘Hurricane Katrina’ in the memo) and mail it to:
IDRF, 4807 Phebe Ave, Fremont, CA 94555
Donate online for Hurricane Katrina victims by More About PayPal®
IDRF is administered by volunteers without any honorarium or overhead. Thus, 100% of your contribution will be disbursed directly to the NGO. Please check out our website http://www.idrf.org for latest information.
National Council of Pakistani Americans
Sept. 4: NCPA is urging the Pakistani American community to participate in the relief work for the victims of
Katrina. "Americans of all ethnicities, faiths, and
backgrounds must come forward to give a helping hand to the victims of Katrina. Those fellow citizens who have faced the indescribable catastrophe in New Orleans and Mississippi need our urgent attention and utmost generosity" said Faiz Rehman, President NCPA.
Please donate through the following charities: American Red Cross www.redcross.org
Islamic Relief http://irw.org/katrina/
ICNA Relief http://icnarelief.org/ Toll Free: 1-866-354-0102
The Hidaya Foundation http://www.hidayaorg
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or www.salvationarmyusa.org
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Inc.
National Office: P. O. Box 611, Iselin, NJ 08830
Make your check payable to VHP of America and In the memo line, write Katrina Relief Fund. Tel.: 732-744-0851
You can also contribute online by going to www.vhp-america.org You can use Visa and MasterCard or Discover card.
Contact Phones: Girish Gandhi, Vice President, Seva: 973-580-8451
Nachiketa Tiwari, Media & PR Coordinator: 508-261-1274
VHPA Office: Gaurang G. Vaishnav, General Secretary: 732-744-0851.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)
Media Contact for further information about HSS relief activities:
Amit Misra, 832 723 4776, amitmisra@sbcglobal.netThe HSS office at Keshav Smrithi, 4018 Westhollow Pkwy, Houston, TX 77082 has
been designated as the contact point for all relief efforts.
Amit Misra Media Contact for Relief Coordination amitmisra@sbcglobal.net 832 723 4776
Sharad Amin To join the relief activities sharad_a_049@yahoo.com 281 762 3178
Khanderao Kand About HSS sampark@hssworld.org 408 368 2709

NOTE: SAJA does not endorse the fundraising efforts of any of these groups and encourages donors to conduct their own research into the missions of the groups and their track record with disaster relief.

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South Asians Affected in the Gulf Coast
Aug. 31: Indians in Katrina-hit New Orleans take shelter in Baton Rouge by Lalit K Jha

SEWA International
SEWA International, Inc is a not for profit, non-religious,
non-political and Tax-exempt charitable organization under 501(c) (3)
with Tax Id # 20-0638718.
National coordinator Srikanth Konda (srikonda@yahoo.com) 678-362-7480 or local coordinators Dhiraj
Rathi (dhiraj_rathi@yahoo.com) 713-384-0068 and Venkat Subramaniam 512-689-3256
Sewa volunteers in Texas and Louisiana are working with American Red Cross and other organizations in providing immediate relief. We are identifying the long term needs of the people and working with
governments of Louisiana and Mississippi in rebuilding homes.
American Hindu Association http://www.americanhindu.net/Katrina.htm
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), an umbrella organization of various other associations has set up a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The entire amount of money collected will be handed over to the American Red Cross for providing assistance to the hurricane victims.
Tax deductible checks payable to NFIA Hurricane Relief Fund should be sent to
NFIA
6912 Winter Lane
Annandale VA 22003.
Further information can be obtained by calling (703) 642-3156.
Islamic Center of Lafayette, lft_masjid at yahoo.com
Islamic Center of Baton Rouge
reports hundreds of people staying there at an expense of more than $1,000 per day
Donations are accepted at:
Islamic Center of Baton Rouge
820 W Chimes
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-387-3617
For Additional Information, please contact Abdus
Salaam at 225-288-3529.
Gulf Medical Relief Fund [GMRF]
c/o P.O. Box 10402
Greensboro, NC 27404
Mohammad Mosque 65
2600 Plank Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
atten.: Minister Andrew Muhammad
225-923-1400
225-357-3079
Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), working to help
gurdwara in NO
Dr. Rajwant Singh, National Chairman, (202) 460 0630
Sikh Society of South,
Katrina Relief Fund
Hibernia National Bank
Account # 208-05-59995
Tax ID # 72-0866136
Hibernia Toll-free: 1-800-262-5689
Hibernia.com
225-292-4112 h 225-205-3164 cell
Sikh Society of South, Inc.; Katrina Relief Fund at
Hibernia National Bank or mailed to:
Sikh Society of South, Inc.,12921 Deerpath Way,Baton
Rouge, LA 70816.Attention: Sumir Kaur Chehl, president
Assam Foundation of North America
Please send your Tax-exempt donation payable to AFNA
and write "Katrina Relief Fund" in the memo.
c/o Pallabita Bhuyan; 30 Redland Place; The Woodlands,
TX 77382

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South Asian Governments

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN:
Sept. 7: Pakistan Donates One Million Dollars in Cash and Establishes Katrina Response Task Force
See full press release here.
E-mail: katrinaresponse [at] embassyofpakistan.org
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA:
Sept. 3: India Contributes $5 Million
NEW DELHI: India has contributed $5 million to the US Red Cross for relief in New Orleans where Hurricane Katrina has caused large-scale destruction, media advisor to the Prime Minister Sanjaya Baru said on Saturday. - PTI
Sept. 7: India's Relief supplies for New Orleans
Indian Embassy in Washington:
Sept. 4: In response to a question by a press correspondent
on the role of the Indian-American community in the wake of the Katrina tragedy, Ambassador Ronen Sen said " I appeal to all my fellow Indian Citizens in the U.S to contribute generously to the American Red Cross and other U.S. organizations which are in the forefront of the rescue and relief operations. I am also confident that the Indian-American community will actively assist their fellow American citizens by volunteering their services, particularly as doctors and specialists and by making large financial contributions. America has been good to the Indian community and this critical moment of trial and tribulation offers both a challenge and an opportunity for all people of Indian origin to rise to the occasion when this great and good country needs them. In doing so, they will also honor the traditions of their country of origin."
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA:
Sept. 1: Sri Lanka Expresses Sympathy on Hurricane Devastation and Makes Token Contribution of $25,000 Towards Relief
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike, who are presently in China on a State visit, have conveyed messages of sympathy to the Government and the people of the USA, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, in States of Mississippi and Louisiana.

On behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Government is making a token contribution of US$25,000 through the American Red Cross, towards providing relief to those affected.
Expressing her sadness at the extent of the death and destruction, President Kumaratunga said “having experienced the fury of nature ourselves during the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004, the people of Sri Lanka and I fully comprehend the grief and the sense of loss experienced by the victims of the Hurricane.”

Recalling the spontaneous US response in the wake of the Tsunami that helped to mitigate the effects in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and in the recovery process, the President further extended profound sympathies and condolences on behalf of Sri Lanka to the families, who have lost their loved ones and expressed solidarity with the victims.

Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike, in a message to the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has also conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the families of those affected and expressed solidarity with the USA at this time of crisis.

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