South Asian Earthquake Relief

Dear Friends,

I am sure that you are already aware of the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Northern Pakistan and India. Local reports indicate that entire villages have been wiped out. 40,000 people are confirmed dead. Local officials fear that the death tool might be as high as 54,000. With more than 3 million people rendered homeless, it is feared that owing to the bad weather conditions, the death toll may increase to 100,000 if proper timely help is not given to them.

Help is urgently needed to rush emergency supplies, such as clean water, emergency food, blankets, tents and medical supplies.

Unfortunately its extremely easy to be ignorant about such horrors due to distance, however, if we just donate 2 minutes of our time to think about how we can help in such situations, we can make a huge difference. I have 100s of clothes in my closet and I dont use half of them, if I can donate these away....it could result in saving some innocent lives. Some of you are students so you wont be expected to donate money....however you can always give away your old clothes, canned food, old blankets etc. [Please wash the clothes before donating]

Following are some reliable Canadian/International organizations that are taking part in the relief efforts:

1) Canadian Red Cross [ www.redcross.ca] [Direct Online Donation]

Canadian government will match public donations. So any amount you contribute will result in double the funding for the relief efforts.

2) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [ www.ifrc.org ] [Direct online donation]

3) UNICEF [ www.unicef.ca] [Direct Online Donation]

4) World Vision Canada [ www.worldvision.ca] [Direct Online Donation]

Canadian government will match public donations made before certain date.

5) International Development and Relief Foundation [IDRF] [www.idrf.ca] [[Direct Online Donation ]
Donations can be mailed to the following address:
IDRF
1063 McNicoll Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1W 3W6

Cheques should be made out to "IDRF – Indo-Pak Earthquake"

6) CARE Canada [www.care.ca] [Direct Online Donation]

5) Red Cross/ Red Crescent [www.icrc.org] [ Direct Online Donation]

6) UNHCR [www.unhcr.ch] [Direct Online Donation]

7) World Food Programme [www.wfp.org] [ Direct Online Donation]

8) Kashmir International Relief Fund [www.kirf.org] [ Direct Online Donation]

9) Other international organizations

Local Pakistani Organisations

1) Edhi Foundation

Donate by mailing checks or money orders addressed:

Canada Edhi Charitable Foundation, Inc.

100 McLevin Avenue, Scarborough, ON B 2V5

Tel/fax: (416)(293-4899)

2) Pakistani Government Relief Fund
"The President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims"
Bank of Montreal
Account #3214 1002 807

3) Chand Raat Fundraiser
October 31
Candle Banquet Hall
1224 Dundas St E. Mississauga
(905) 848-3388

4) Cdn. Pakistan Friendship Association
C.P.F.A. Earthquake Relief Fund
Bank of Nova Scotia
Account #1701201269-18
Phone: (905) 276-8742

Canadians Overseas
If you're trying to find out about a Canadian loved one you believe may have been in the quake area, call The Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-387-3127.

There are several ways we can contribute towards this cause:

- By making personal contributions. Canadian or US dollars go long way when converted into rupees.
- By donating old clothes, blankets etc.

- Increase awareness to individuals who are concerned. Let others know that they can participate in this cause despite the great distances and national borders.

Please do forward this to your mailing list and help spread the awareness to reach out to those who need us NOW the most.

Thank you,
Kundan