Food for Life Kathmandu was spared from major damage due the massive 7.9 earthquake that hit the region on Saturday. “The building suffered cracks, but the volunteers living inside the building are all safe and sound,” reported a staff member.
“The quake is now known to have injured at least 7,000 people. Vast tent cities have sprung up in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, for those displaced or afraid to return to their homes. Several aftershocks have been reported – the latest on Monday night,” reported the BBC.
“Most of our members are safe and around 400 of them have taken shelter inside our building, explained Purusottama swami. “authorities are also trying their best to help people in the affected areas by distributing prasadam (vegan meals) to them.”
Food for Life emergency relief volunteers from Mayapur and Siliguri in West Bengal attempted to go to Kathmandu to offer help, but failed because of the lack of accessible roads. Congestion at Kathmandu’s airport has also caused delays for relief teams from around the world, with Indian TV reporting that an Indian relief flight was forced to turn back. Kathmandu airport is running out of parking bays.
“Water is becoming scarce and there are fears that children in particular could be at risk of disease. Even residents of some of the city’s smarter neighbourhoods are sleeping on carpets and mattresses outside their homes,” reported the BBC.
The regional secretary for Nepal, Patri das reported that Kolkata was working with the Indian government to send $8000 in food supplies and cooking equipment through Air India cargo flights for the Food for Life volunteers in Kathmandu.
“Cracked roads, landslides and demolished houses have made it difficult to move around [the city] and basic facilities, including communication and electricity are difficult…. Krishna Temple Nepal is extending itself to help the people affected by this disaster, by sending out rescue teams, setting up medical camps, and providing hot meals with our Food for Life team….However, it is still not enough to reach the huge number of people who are affected. So, we wholeheartedly appealling to our Food for Life supporters worldwide to help us with funds and prayers at this time of crisis,” explained Patri.
DONATION OPTIONS
Since the banks in Nepal are not working properly, ISKCON Nepal has set up an emergency relief bank account in Mayapur, India from where money can be collected to support these relief efforts.
US Donors
Food for Life Global is also collecting funds to support this effort, so if you are a US citizen and would like to get a tax deduction you can donate directly through Food for Life Global via our US partner, A Well-Fed World, and we will be pooling all donations to wire to our affiliates in INDIA.
[paypal-donation]
Or you can wire your donation directly to:
Account Name: ISKCON – Gour Purnima Festival Fund
Bank Name: Axis Bank
Account No. : 237010100071336
Swift Code: Axis INBB 005
Branch : Krishna Nagar Branch
Bank address : 14 M.M. Ghosh Street, Krishna Nagar, West Bengal, India
Type of Account : Savings Account.
Indian Donors
Account Name : ISKCON
Bank Name : HDFC Bank
Account No. : 00221000034555
RTGS / IFSC Code: HDFC0000022
Branch : Golpark, Kolkata.
Bank address : 132/A SOUTHERN AVENUE,DR.MEGHNAD SAHA SARANIGOL PARK,
DHAKURIA
KOLKATA WEST BENGAL700029 *State:* WEST BE
Type of Account : Savings Account.
After remittance, please email ISKCON Mayapur Nepal Relief Fund: [email protected] with the following details to track the remittance:-
1. Name of Donor
2. Country name (for foreign remittances)
3. Date of remittance
4. Amount remitted
5. Swift copy of remittance (for remittance from country other than India, sometimes the amount does not show in our bank account, in such case swift copy of remittance helps bank to trace the amount. If the fund shows up in bank account then this is not required) Swift message is generated by the remitter’s bank when you make payment to our account. Swift message is useful for us to trace the remittance as well to our bank.
Here are our contact numbers for any questions and quiery:
+91 9910576903 – Patri das (Co- Regional Secretary , ISKCON NEPAL) [email protected]
+977 9801205727 – Rupeswor Gour das (ISKCON Kathmandu Temple President) [email protected]
+977 9801080108 – (BBT, Food for Life Director)
