Fundraising to build homes for landslide victims in Darjeeling
Fundraising Target: £1500
My Donations to date: £500
Fundraiser(s): Neeraj Agarwal & Vishaka Agarwal
Event: Fundraising for Landslide victims in Darjeeling
Event Date: 31st July 2009
Charitie(s) Supported: Joy To The World (scotland Based),
Cyclone Aila left a death trail as it whizzed past Bengal in May ‘09. The beautiful hills of Darjeeling too were battered and maimed and many lost their near and dear ones. The official death toll is 29.
Darjeeling recorded 240 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. Owing to poor planning and lack of expertise in disaster management the infrastructure there has crumbled so have the dreams of many families. 500 houses have been destroyed and more than 1400 people are currently staying in 41 government relief camps.
Nature’s fury spared none. Six people who were trying to save the family of Pooja Gurung at Haridashatta were buried alive. No one could save the saviors who saved 14 lives. These people had come from as far as Soom tea garden to help the victims in Darjeeling. Three year old Tashi Doma Sherpa died on her way to the hospital. Forty one year old Mohan Kumar Rai and his eight year old son Manish Rai from Bara Pattabung were found underneath the debris clutching each other for one last moment. Siksha Tamang and Yogesh Subba from Cutlary, Kurseong had just been married but the slides snubbed their lives in a blink of an eye. Almost every village, every locality has a similar story.
The Darjeeling Press Guild, moved by the devastation and following request from the residents of Darjeeling has decided to undertake a project to rebuild homes for the poorest amongst those affected. “We can only pray for the departed souls but for those who are homeless we can and we will make a difference. We cannot construct 500 houses but we want to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged residing in far flung areas of the district by constructing at least 20 houses- maybe more if can generate more funds” said Vivek Chhetri, President of the Darjeeling Press Guild.
The groundwork for this has already commenced. The administration has promised to provide land for reconstruction and a team comprising of local journalists has surveyed those who have been affected and identified potential beneficiaries. The cost of building the homes has been estimated at approximately Rs.35000 (£450) per house. Friends of Darjeeling from all over the world have come together and contributed towards this noble cause. But more funds are needed to reach the target of rebuilding 20 homes.
As a friend of Darjeeling please join us in supporting this wonderful initiative. A small contribution from you could go a long way in helping rebuild the dreams of some of the most unfortunate victims of this natural disaster.
If you would like to follow the updates on the progress made by Darjeeling Press Guild, then join the Facebook group titled: In Support of People Displaced by Darjeeling Landslides.
Thank You,
Neeraj & Vishaka