The Hindu : National : NGOs offer to adopt villages

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 28, 2005

National

National

NGOs offer to adopt villages

Shujaat Bukhari

Pilot project launched

SRINAGAR: A number of non-government organisations, which played a major role in providing relief to thousands of people hit by the October 8 earthquake in Uri and Tangdhar, are now planning to adopt some villages.

The Chennai-based World Vision has so far distributed tarpaulin sheets, blankets, food and hygienic kits to over 1,300 families in the affected areas. It has launched a pilot project of constructing small classrooms at schools damaged in the earthquake. "So far we have constructed two at Kalgai village by using moulded tin sheets. We are planning to set up more as the response is good," said Jayanth Vincent, director (media relations) of World Vision. Twenty volunteers of the NGO had been camping in Uri and Tangdhar for the past 17 days. "We are now focusing on Tangdhar as the road is likely to be cut off for many months in winter, Mr. Vincent said. Arthar Chand of World Vision, who is coordinating relief operations, said, "we are here for a long term project and we may adopt a village permanently."

The Rotary Club of Kashmir has also launched relief operations in the affected areas. On Wednesday a team led by district governor S. P. Sethi visited Uri and distributed imported tents, shelter boxes and other material to the affected. Club president Amit Wanchoo said, "In Tangdhar we distributed around 60 tents and shelter boxes. We are working on adopting a village where we can provide a health centre and a school."

Volunteers of Mata Amritanandamayi Math from the Delhi and Chennai Ashram branches have arrived in the State to help with relief and rehabilitation activities. Awadesh Mishra of the Math said volunteers were involved in providing psychosocial counselling for women and children traumatised by the earthquake. Mr. Mishra said the Math was planning to take up total rehabilitation of two or three villages in Kashmir. "We are proposing to the J&K Government indicating our interest and willingness to do the same in Basgran, Lagama, Dachi and Sultan Daki villages."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National