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9/10/2006
Flooding
Devastates Thousands of Villages in India
EUGENE, Oregon, Sept. 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- India Partners is preparing an emergency response of food, clean water, blankets, medicine and shelter to children and families that were affected by heavy flooding and ensuing disease in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa, India. Over 400 are confirmed dead, but the final figure will likely run into the thousands. Millions of homes have collapsed, crops have been ruined, and livestock have been decimated. Chikungunya, a viral fever spread by mosquitoes, as well as malaria, has broken out in the aftermath. India Partners, a US based NGO that has been working in India since 1984, has contacted its partner organizations in India to begin the emergency assistance needs. Reports have been coming in from local agencies in India that the continuing monsoon rains that began in June have killed hundreds, probably thousands, of people. "Millions of people have lost everything. They have no food, shelter, or clean water to drink. They are prime targets for disease and need relief supplies immediately. The poorest of the poor--dalits, tribals, and rural villagers--are usually the last to receive help," says India Partners Executive Director, Brent Hample. "The flood victims are still helpless and left out in some areas. Through our relief camps, some of the poorest areas received rice, dhal and oil to prepare food. There are many areas left out without any help, those people are still crying and suffering. Five farmers committed suicide because of the loss of crops by floods. Still in villages, children are caught up by diseases and dying without medical care," wrote G. Parishudha Babu, Director, Orphans Faith Home in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. Krishna District has been one of the hardest hit in India, as floods have swelled all over the country. Chikungunya fever has also been reported in Andhra Pradesh and in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Over 4,000 people in the district of Malkangiri, Orissa were affected by the flooding, where cerebral Malaria has also broken out. The agency is in the process of gathering funds so local agencies can provide food, clean water, and medicines to help treat the victims, and blankets & shelter for the displaced and homeless. To make a donation to help India Partners provide an emergency response in India, here's how to help: Online: www.indiapartners.org By phone: 888-870-9085, 8am-5pm, PST By mail: India Partners, PO Box 5470, Eugene, OR 97405
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