Floods in South India Kill over 200
The floods in South India have a left a trail of death and devastation. Over 200 people have died, and a million have been rendered homeless.

Our teams on the ground are already providing medical care, food and clothing. As time progresses, the emphasis will shift to long-term rehabilitation. If funds allow, initial investments would be designed to dovetail into initiatives related to education, training and micro-finance.

November 30, 2009 - They Need Your Help
Two months after the floods in India, the situation is desperate. Thousands of homes have been destroyed but many families have no way to rebuild. They need your help.

Watch the video below to see how you can help

 

 Help the flood victims in India.
Donate today.

November 13, 2009 - Raichur Update
Our efforts on the ground have been strengthened by teams of volunteers from SAP Labs, Amicorp and Wal-Mart. This joining of forces has allowed us to distribute “Health and Hygiene’ kits designed by UNICEF. We will soon renovate a government school, in Chikkasugur.

We have found the government to be responsive, at every level. On the ground, the District Commissioner, Mr. Salim has been very proactive. Words have been combined with deeds - 35 acres of land has just been made available for the construction of homes. The government will soon share the approved layout plan, which will make it easier for our architects, who have already visited the site (to meet with residents, gauge soil conditions, understand local issues etc) to explore the best possible way forward. In addition, we are comforted by the DC’s commitment to provide support from every government department. He suggested we keep reaching out to the government (as and when needed) so the problems at hand may be tackled, together.

Our approach is to build homes and if possible stay invested, in the village so we can gradually help lift the community, out of poverty. During the tsunami, we utilized the resources provided in the early stages, to do some meaningful work.  At present, five years after the disaster, we still have a 100 strong team on the ground that will educate 1000 children, create 1000 jobs (through micro-finance) and train 1000 young men and women, every year.

If plans continue to fall into place (with the flood rehabilitation efforts), we hope to replicate the success of the tsunami initiatives, in Raichur. At the moment, the government understands (and is comfortable, with the fact) we have funds to build maybe just 60 to 70 homes. Our endeavor is to continue working with new and existing partners, showcase the work on the ground and seek buy-in for an increasing number of homes. Raghunathanhalli needs a total of 375 houses.

There are issues – poverty, prejudice and pessimism. These are and will continue to be addressed by our teams at the individual and community level. As always, we will chip away at the demons that seek to scare us into submission, by drawing on the expertise gained through nearly two decades of direct exposure to real-life issues.

October 27, 2009
HOPE foundation has identified a village, Chikkasugur, needing long term work. Along with other NGOs and companies such as SAP, we are trying to help India's flood victims to rebuild.

According to one SAP volunteer working in Chikkasugur,

"Our goal was to assess the damages first-hand and decide how SAP could be involved in the rehabilitation efforts along with our field partner HOPE foundation. What I saw there was overwhelming and beyond my imagination. With houses reduced to rubble, the villagers are living in makeshift accommodation, or in remaining parts of the houses. All the crops were damaged, leaving farmers penniless."

» Read more in this volunteer's blog

October 8, 2009

Our team is focusing on the village of Thalamari, 50 km from Raichur. It has about 5000 men, women and children. 44 homes have been completely destroyed. There has been collateral damage to property and possessions. On the health front we have been informed of gastroenteritis, malaria, jaundice and diarrhoea. HOPE worldwide has deliberately chosen a village where the needs, though extensive, may still be manageable. Americares is likely to support our efforts on the ground with medicines and a team of doctors.

At the moment, besides our own efforts with distribution of food and clothing, we are supplementing the efforts of like-minded organizations on the ground to maximize the effectiveness of available resources. This ensures there is no duplication of effort while we continue to support ongoing relief efforts. We have found this to be a prudent approach in terms of managing long-term rehabilitation efforts.

The plan is to remain engaged with our partners so we can then continue to chart simple but effective plans for the days ahead.

 Help the flood victims in India.
Donate today.