SOS for Surat

The devastating floods that ravaged South Gujarat in early August 2006 have caused immense hardship and misery to those residing in Surat city, its suburbs and districts. Innumerable Parsis, irrespective of their financial status, have been affected by this natural calamity.

The raging floods have swept away houses in the semi urban areas, wrecked havoc on the buildings in the city, destroyed warehouses containing food grains and other essential commodities. There is a severe shortage of even drinking water and milk.

The flood waters began to recede from August 10, 2006, but have left in their wake acute despair and distress. The first signs of water borne diseases have also begun to manifest, which will accentuate the suffering even further.

As soon as the flood waters began to recede, the World Zoroastrian Organi­sation (WZO) Trust, through its volunteers based at Navsari, were amongst the first to reach the affected areas on August 11. The task of providing relief to some of the Parsis affected by the calamity has already commenced.

WZO Trust has established contact with the local leaders at Surat. The first consignment of essential items, such as drinking water, milk powder, pulses, grains, oil and other commodities such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, etc has already been distributed.

It has been estimated that many more such consignments will be required to provide succor and relief to the members of our community.

At present we are focussing only on providing relief to community members affected by nature’s fury. It is only after the situation returns to some form of normalcy, will it be possible for us to assess the actual extent of damage to property and the rehabilitation that will be required to be undertaken to get our affected brethren back on their feet.

Massive funding will be necessary to meet these humanitarian objectives. The WZO Trust appeals to individuals and institutions to lend a helping hand by making funds available generously for the relief and rehabilitation of the Parsis affected by nature’s fury.

It is requested that donations be forwarded to us by way of cheque/draft in the name of "The WZO Trust” and forwarded to Shanti, 5th Floor, 6, Banaji Street, Fort, Bombay 400001. Donations to the WZO Trust are exempt under section 80G(5) of Income Tax Act 1961 (permission valid till March 31, 2008).

DINSHAW TAMBOLY

Managing trustee

The World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust