How can I help? Can I contribute? Can I send relief material? These questions are foremost on everyone’s mind ever since the news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, which also left a trail of destruction in States like Bihar, broke out. Across the country, small and large government and private organisations are mobilising funds and relief material.
The first and easiest option is to contribute monetarily through trusted government and private organisations, which will in turn use it to buy and distribute relief material. Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, Red Cross, Unicef and Oxfam are among the widely recognised channels to contribute.
Goonj, an organisation that has its presence in different cities, is accepting contributions. Ashutosh, one of the spokespersons from the Hyderabad wing, says, “People are welcome to contribute either through online transfer, send us a cheque or visit our office to contribute cash. We are looking at sustained, long-term relief work. Apart from money, people can also send general medicines and other materials.” (Details on goonj.org). The organisation has prior experience in relief measures in the wake of Uttarakhand and Kashmir floods.
Certified voluntary organisations have dedicated teams trained in disaster management. Look for credentials, ask questions and choose the organisation through which you want to help carefully. Youth For Seva, another organisation that has branches in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi is chalking out a strategy to help and welcomes contributions — both monetary and emergency materials like tarpaulins. The outfit has previously sent teams to work in Uttarakhand.
In Mumbai, Dr. Amit Thadhani (@amirsurg), convenor, doctors’ cell of BJP, Mumbai, is on the lookout for doctors to offer medical relief. He tweeted, “Calling all doctors on my TL. Team moving within a week to Nepal for relief work. Please revert if you want to join in. RT to max people.”
Going by information collected from those on ground in Nepal, the following non-medical and medical materials are being collected: Purified water, chlorine tablets, emergency food for patients and medical personnel (non-perishable), blankets, tarpaulins, tents, mats, sanitary supplies including sanitary napkins, new inner garments for women and children (used ones will be rejected), emergency medicines, i/v cannula, i/v drip sets, splints, casts for fractures, blades, scalpels, dressing pads, gloves and injections like xylocaine/lidocaine, apart from torch, first aid material and antibiotics. Orthopaedic surgeons, trauma care specialists, nursing staff and cardiothoracic surgeons are required to provide assistance. For further details, email Dr. Thadhani at a_thadani@yahoo.com.
Meanwhile, stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das is also looking to help through a tie-up with a voluntary organisation. This is just the tip of the iceberg. More efforts will come to the fore in the next few days.
Those with experience in voluntary work are also waiting for the aftershocks and rains to subside before travelling to Nepal to carry out the necessary relief work.
