Christian World Service is appealing for donations to help local lndian partners provide relief efforts in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The state has experienced widespread flooding from the heaviest rainfall in recorded history.  Three major downpours have left much of the capital Chennai (formerly known as Madras) awash and 20,000 hectares of worst affected Cuddalore district underwater.  At least 280 people have died and tens of thousands have lost their homes and belongings.  It is the poorest people who are living in the most precarious places that are bearing the brunt of this disaster.  Many of the urban poor live on the flood plains and fisherfolk have lost their boats, nets and other fishing equipment.
Long term partners Neythal, SAND and WDRC have written of the desperate need of the people they have worked with over many years.  Flooding and the lack of electricity and transport have made communications difficult.  Neythal in particular has appealed for urgent funds to help an initial 2,100 families with food supplies.  They have been working with Dalit, Tribal and Muslim families predominantly headed by single women to improve human rights and income for many years as well as fisherfolk.  They intend to help people living in 12 communities around Killai and Parangipettai and fisherfolk in 26 fishing hamlets of Chidambaram and Kurinjibadi.  Having been deeply involved in the emergency response after the South Asian Tsunami, Neythal is well placed to assist.  They will help those who need the most help first.
Neythal is asking for funding to distribute food, clothing and shelter to families who are not getting assistance from the government.  While the affected families are resilient, the extent of this flooding is more than they can manage without relief support.
$27 will provide blankets and clothing for one person.  $33 will provide 20 kg rice, 1 kg dhal, 500 grams tamarind, 500 g sugar, 250 g masala powder and 1 kg cooking oil for a family.
Neythal will keep working to make sure these vulnerable communities are protected against natural disasters.  They monitor the condition of the coast and waterways and have won a few cases in court to protect their environment.  After this disaster they want to step up their campaign to protect communities in the long term.
Donations to can be made:•    On line to the South India Flood Appeal and by direct deposit here.•    By Phone with a credit card: 0800 74 73 72•    By Post to: CWS, PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140
Christian World Service has been doing emergency relief since 1945.  It works with local groups in 20 countries who are making change happen so people can live a life free from poverty.  CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together), a global coalition of more than 140 churches and church related organisations working together in the areas of humanitarian assistance, advocacy and community development.
11 December 2015