CYCLONE “AILA” hit the coast of West Bengal on the 25th of May 2009, at wind speed of over 70 miles. per hour, killing over 50  and crippling normal life of over 200,000 people. The highest death of 14 people was reported from South 24 Parganas, followed by Kolkata, Bankura and Howrah districts. The hilly regions witnessed land slides claiming numerous lives; where as lower regions were practically swallowed by moving water inundating the entire villages escaping the wrath of the cyclone with absolutely nothing except their breath.

SEWA INTERNATIONAL (India), started relief activities from the evening of 26th May 2009 in partnership with like-minded organizations such as Bastuhara Sahayata Samiti, Sewa Bharati, Friends of Tribal Society, Bharat Sevashram and Sri Ramkrishna Mission. We are operating through 32 relief centers at the moment in remote villages which are generally inaccessible, catering to the needs of over 8000 families constituting over 30,000 people, where we are distributing cooked meal, dry food and potable water. The cooked food from base kitchen has to be carried with the help of boats to our relief centers located in far flung areas, which take almost 4 hours to reach.

Further, in wake of such disaster, epidemic diseases have already begun to spread hence there is a great need of medical assistance too. We have already started treating patients and distributing medicines through medical camps in various affected locations.

There is an urgent need to provide relief to the suffering millions. SEWA INTERNATIONAL (USA)  appeals to all to help these unfortunate victims.  Your support will help reduce the sufferings of these people in the Cyclone affected state of West Bengal, living in the remote areas. Sewa International will help the cyclone victims to bring back life to normal in the state of West Bengal.

Sewa International (India) future plan is to run these 32 relief centers and increase more such centers if need be and continue our relief activities till life returns to normal. We intend to provide the affected families with immediate necessities for daily living: tarpaulins, food, cloths, medicines etc. The estimated expense will be approximately $220,000.

The break-up of the same is as mentioned below:
    Cooked Meal and Infant food         …    Rs. 12,00,000/-
    Clothing for adults and children    …    Rs. 37,00,000/-
    Utencils, Lanterns, Durries, etc.    …    Rs. 15,50,000/-
    Medicines                                           ...    Rs. 07,00,000/-
    Tarpaulines                                       ...    Rs. 28,50,000/-
     TOTAL                                               ...     Rs. 1,00,00,000/-

You can donate online at www.sewausa.org or mail check to:
Sewa International Inc.
P. O. Box 14622
Fremont, CA 94539

For more information visit: www.sewausa.org.