December 8, 1999

The Embassy of India, Washington, has over the past few weeks been actively facilitating relief efforts being undertaken by Indian American community, non-governmental organizations and relief agencies to alleviate the suffering caused by the devastating Orissa cyclone.

On December 8, a check of US$ 25,000 to the Prime Minister Relief Fund was handed over by H. David Burton of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints to the India's Ambassador to the United States, Shri Naresh Chandra, at the Indian Embassy. Mr. Burton informed the Ambassador that the Church had already sent 7,500 blankets through Air India for the cyclone victims of Orissa.

The response from the Indian American Community to the human tragedy in coastal part of Orissa has been very heartening. Individuals as well as organizations have spontaneously given money, medicines and materials to help the victims. In addition to the funds channelised through the Embassy and Indian Consulates, relief has also been sent directly. The Indian American community has been organizing several functions to raise funds for the cyclone victims. A similar wave of contributions was seen during the Kargil conflict when generous contributions were received for the welfare of Indian soldiers and their families.

The Embassy website which gives detailed information about the cyclone, relief activities and organizations has proved to be very useful window for the dissemination of information and channelising of funds, receiving nearly 50,000 hits on a single day.