Members of the Kerala group at the India Day Parade in New York Aug. 19, with a banner appealing for help after the devastating floods in Kerala. (Photo courtesy of Philipose Philip, Federation of Kerala Associations of North America via News India Times)
The worst floods to hit the southern Indian state of Kerala in nearly a century prompted Indian-American organizations and individuals in the tri-state metro area to organize relief efforts for those affected, reports News India Times’ Ela Dutt.
The Indian Orthodox Church based in Long Island, Queens, N.Y., is raising more than the $150,000 from its 50 U.S. churches, and coordinating with its Kerala diocese headquartered in Kottayam which is working on the ground, Philipose Philip, member of the Indian Orthodox Church in the U.S., told News India Times.
“My sister Susy in Thumpamon, near Chenganoor, in District Pathanamthipta, escaped from her home just in time before the flood hit. So did several other relatives,” Philip, former general secretary of FOKANA, now vice president on its board, said.
At the Aug. 19, India Day Parade in Manhattan, the Kerala group held up a banner with the map of the state with an appeal for help.
Srujal Parikh, president of the Federation of Indian Associations-NY/NJ/CT, told News India Times of his plans to partner with the NYPD’s Indian officers group to raise money for Kerala flood victims.
“Money is the best way to help because food and clothes are not only hard to get through U.S. and India customs, but also hard to deliver to the affected people because of damage to roads and bridges,” he added.
For more on relief efforts elsewhere in the U.S. and online, go to News India Times.