The flood situation in Bihar, India, this year has been the worst in living memory, leaving thousands dead and homeless and destroying crops, cattle and property worth billions. The hapless victims of this catastrophe are in dire need of assistance and will have to begin their lives from scratch when the flood waters recede.

The Kosi River, sometimes called the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’, changed its course after almost two centuries, following a breach in an embankment upstream in Nepal, flooding 14 districts of Bihar. Supaul district has been the worst hit followed by Madhepura, Araria and Saharsa. The river Kosi still remains untamed showing no signs of receding. The first four districts were the worst affected where over 2.27 million people in 755 villages were left reeling under its impact. Thousands of families have been forced to live under the open sky or on embankments, roads, roof tops and bridges waiting for help.

Sewa International and Sewa Bharati are working together, serving under the banner of “BARH RAHAT SAHAYTA SAMITI” with its centre at Saharsa and “BARH PEERIT SAHAYTA SAMITI” with its headquarters at Muzafferpur, Bihar.

We are fortunate to have a very strong force of over 3500 dedicated volunteers who are working round the clock rescuing those who are stranded, distributing relief materials and providing food and essential health care. We have an advantage in having local volunteers who are familiar with the topography. We have been able to reach the most needy located in remote areas and evacuate them to safer locations, providing them with much needed care and assistance.

Our Response:

From 19th of August 2008, Sewa Centres/Camps in 7 of the most affected districts were set up to provide immediate relief, food and shelter. We are able to treat sick people on arrival at the centres. The seven centres are located in the following areas:

1. Raghopur: this centre caters to the needs of flood victims from Raghopur, Pratapgarh and Saraigarh.
   
   
2. Vivah Bhawan, Shankar Chawk, Saharsa: this centre helps people from the districts of Saharsa and Supaul.
   
   
3. Bihariganj, Madhepura: this centre takes care of the people of Madhepura district.
   
   
4. Sewa Bharati Office, Madhubani Chawk, Purnea: this centre is for the people of Purnea and adjoining districts.
   
   
5. Sangh Karyalaya, Shiv Mandir Chawk, Katihar: this centre is for the flood victims of Katihar.
   
   
6. Sangh Karyalaya, Nawgachhia: this centre is for the people of Bhagalpur district.
   
   
7. Shiv Mandir, Forbisganj, Araria: this centre caters to the victims of Forbisganj and adjoining places.

Relief materials are collected at these centres and are then distributed to the people by small boats and head loads by our volunteers.

A separate relief centre has been set up in the Zila School, Saharsa where over 4000 people have taken shelter and are being fed and taken care of.

From the 29th of August 2008, all seven centres set up a community kitchen where over 3000 people are fed daily. There are plans to open more mass feeding camps at different locations to ensure that many more flood victims are reached.


Twenty-one sub-centres have also been set up so that much needed support, packet food, essential medications, water, mosquito nets, and essential household utensils such as cloths, polythene sheets, lanterns, candles & match boxes, etc, are provided at greater speed.


The water is showing no signs of receding as a result of the incessant rains. Therefore, rescue and relief will have to continue for a greater period. Constant support is needed.


 

SEWA International together with other Indic/Hindu based faith group supports the Call to Action by Gordon Brown for the Millenium Development Goals.

 

Please download the PDF file to find more information.

Govindbhai Patel said

"We appreciate the humanitarian work being carried out by Sewa International."

 

We are sure you will have seen the appalling pictures from Burma, where cyclone Nargis has left more than 100,000 thousand people dead and more than a million rendered homeless without food, water and shelter. The roads to the city are strewn with uprooted trees and electricity poles while roofless houses are surrounded by over spilling water.
Sanjay Jagatia of Sewa International said


Sewa International, an International humanitarian operating in over 20 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, Burma, West Indies and Africa. In the past, Sewa International has undertaken relief activities and raised millions of pounds for major disasters such as Super Cyclone in Orissa in December 1999, Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001, Tsunami of December 2004 (India and Sri Lanka), flood relief in Guyana and Mozambique, famine relief in Kenya and the Hurricane  that hit New Orleans in 2005. These activities ranged from providing immediate medical treatment, shelter, and food to the victims and also providing them permanent accommodation, vocational assistance, counseling and psychological assistance.

Sewa International UK has launched an emergency appeal to help and provide relief to these unfortunate victims. Your donation will help reduce the sufferings of the people in the cyclone hit areas and will be used to purchase much needed items for immediate distribution and rehabilitation.

PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN – WE ALL NEED TO ACT BEORE THIS DISASTER CLAIMS MORE AND MORE LIVES: Epidemics of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, diarrohoea and dysentery are now feared; putting thousands more lives at risk.

Barry Gardiner, Member of Parliament for Brent North, a friend and supporter of Sewa International UK, appealed to the people of UK, “now is not the time to worry about Burma’s politics. Now is the time to worry about Burma’s people. Please give generously”.


 

The UKs first structured volunteering scheme to target the Indian diaspora was launched today in North West London with the support of Cricketing hero Monty Panesar.
The 1.3 million Indian community in Britain is recognised to be charitable and supportive of causes internationally and in Britain, often repatriating huge sums of money to causes in India and elsewhere. However, this new initiative seeks to take advantage of their interest in volunteering by making it easier for them to find local groups and charities, which can make good use of their time, skills, and experiences.


SEWA VOLUNTEERS is a flagship initiative of leading British charity – Sewa International. Whilst it is aimed at promoting volunteering to the Indian diaspora, it is not restricted to the community and interest from people of all backgrounds is welcome.

In the first phase, the scheme is to be implemented in North West London, which is home to a large Indian population. It is envisaged that this scheme will be rolled out in other cities and towns with significant Indian populations.

The first set of partner charities are:

• Harrow Mencap – works with people with learning difficulties
• Middlesex Association for the Blind – help the visually impaired
• Age Concern Harrow – lend a hand to the elderly
• Sansaar – teach Gujarati through pantomime and music

The Fryent Country Park (Barn Hill) Conservation Project – protect the natural environment

This is the FIRST scheme targeted at the Indian Diaspora which:

• Provides volunteers for a number of local causes.
• Actively monitors & manages the ‘volunteer experience’.
• Transcends all affiliations to temples, faith groups, youth groups, regional groups, caste associations, companies and businesses etc.

By promoting volunteering, Sewa International aims to:

• Engage people from all backgrounds with local projects that deliver services to disadvantaged communities. By doing so, providing our partner charities with much needed skills and experiences that enable their success in dealing with tough social issues.
  
  
• Build awareness of social & cultural issues challenging local communities in Britain.
  
  
• Raise the profile and virtue of public service. The Indian diaspora is renowned for its philanthropy and financial support for causes. This initiative aims to promote the need to provide ‘time’.

How to register as a SewaVolunteer:

• On-line – www.sewavolunteers.org
• Paper registration forms can be provided by calling: 020 7193 7108
• A team of volunteers will be attending key events & festivals to recruit volunteers

Arup Ganguly, President of Sewa International (North London), said:

“The most valuable commodity that people can donate to charity, in this relentless world, is their time. I find the willingness of our community to give up their leisure time to help the needy, quite frankly, humbling.”

Due diligence: “We’ve conducted interviews and assessments of the charities in order to satisfy ourselves that those who register with this scheme will be managed properly and will receive guidance and support throughout their association with a particular charity.”

On volunteers: “We value the time that people want to give. To ensure that they receive appropriate advice, we will brief each volunteer individually with the aim of understanding their background and motivation in coming forward so that we are able to pair them with a local group where we believe a ‘fit’ exists.”

Future plan: “We envisage this scheme expanding to include other towns, cities, and we will also focus on developing relationships with companies who encourage volunteering as part of their training & development programmes. Eventually, we’d like to promote volunteering as a tool to encourage development internationally by providing opportunities overseas.”



VOLUNTEERING - KEY FACTS:

Source: ‘Helping Out: A national survey of volunteering and charitable giving’ – Cabinet Office, 5th Sept 2007:

2,705 people in England were interviewed for ‘Helping Out: A national survey of volunteering and charitable giving’. More than half (58 per cent) had both volunteered and donated to charity in the last 12 months, and most (81 per cent) had given to a charity within the last four weeks.

The most common reasons for volunteering were ‘to improve things or help people’ (53 per cent), ‘because the cause was important’ (41 per cent) or ‘because they had spare time’ (41 per cent).

59 per cent had volunteered in the last year (39 per cent had done so at least monthly), and 69 per cent in the last five years, with an estimated economic value of £38.9 billion;

On average, volunteers had given 11 hours over the last four weeks;

Positive feelings were expressed on the experience of volunteering – nearly all (95 per cent) of regular volunteers said their efforts were appreciated and nine in 10 had the chance to do activities they liked;

Cited benefits of volunteering included satisfaction from seeing the results, a sense of personal achievement, and the opportunity to meet people and make new friends;

Those in the 34-44 and 55-64 age brackets, women, the employed and people of religious faith were more likely to volunteer than other social groups;

There is room for improvement in organisation (31 per cent said their volunteering could be better organised) and in reducing bureaucracy (mentioned by 28 per cent).

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

NOTES:

1.    SEWA INTERNATIONAL.

2.    HARROW MENCAP
Doreen Luff, 020 8423 7382, www.harrowmencap.org.uk

3.    SANSAAR
Shandip Shah, 07780 690432, www.sansaar.org

4.    MIDDX ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
David Pearce, 020 8423 5141, www.aftb.org.uk

5.    AGE CONCERN HARROW
Jackie Butler, 020 8861 7997, www.acharrow.org.uk

6.    BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP
Cathy Northcroft, 020 8206 0589, www.bhcg.ik.com


For further details about Sewa International UK contact: Sanjay Jagatia, Public Relations Coordinator

 

REPORT By: Satish Shah Sewa International Trek Coordinator

Our group consisted of 24 people, including 10 females (between the ages of  17-59). The 8-day high altitude trek started with a drive from Leh to Choksi. On the 3rd Day we crossed Kang La pass at 5260m and carried on to Palam Peak 5360m. This was an achievement for most people who had no previous high altitude trek experience. On Day 4 we encountered snow and mist as we made our way to the eco friendly village of Rumbak, where there is no electricity and running water and where all waste is recycled.

Day 5: We crossed Stok La pass, 4900m, having seen distinct rock formations. The next day we made it to Stok Kangri base camp, 4800m. On Day 7, we left our camp at 1am with torches, in freezing conditions. At around 4am we put on ice crampons and started the ascent of Stok Kangri, 6114m. The snow covered steep ascent was very difficult though the views were breath taking. 13 successfully completed the 8 day trek which was very demanding but  fulfilling.

Ladakh has a magic charm however life can be tough for the local residents.

The last day in Delhi was spent visiting various Sewa projects in the city slums. This was a real eye opener. A total of £42,541 has been raised.

Comments from participants:

The trek was very well organised and afforded complete participation. The awareness of these activities should be well publicised and therefore allow a lot of notices to start challenging their own abilities and perceptions. I thoroughly recommend interested people to make contact and find out
more............

Raju Shah - Luton

The Ladakh trek was another personal achievement after completing the Kilimanjaro trek in 2006 and previously in 2004. Having personally raised almost £10,000, The fundraising was put into perspective when I saw the actual complete devotion of SEWA work being carried out in Delhi. The
dedication of the volunteers in schools, orphanages and medical facilities shows what can be achieved with a few funds. It is a triumph that SEWA International has virtually no overhead and administration costs compared to other charities, which makes me want to donate and fundraise again and again knowing that every penny goes where it counts.

Professor Janesh Gupta - Birmingham

It was an honour to take part in the tough trek and see Ladakh Himalayan mountain range and raise funds for those less fortunate. So much more we can do.

Dinesh Shah - Bradford

Arise awake and take up the challenge.

Shaila Gosrani - Bradford

The Kilimanjaro Trek held in 2006 raised £61,800.

Ladakh Trek 2008 is scheduled for the first two weeks in September 2008.


 

 

The Tony Blair Faith Foundation will organise a global campaign to mobilise young people, across religious divides, to work together towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Tony Blair said that the Millennium Development Goals are “the litmus test” of the world’s values.

Tony Blair said:

“The Millennium Development Goals are stark in their ambition and necessity. We are falling short as a world in meeting them. It would be a great example of faith in action to try to bridge the gap and awaken the world’s conscience.”