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IDRF Raises $ 300,000 For Orissa Relief

Beth Kulkarni in Houston

For over 11 years, the India Development and Relief Fund has been raising donations from NRIs, and has distributed at least $ 2.5 million for developmental and relief activities, including $ 300,000 for the 1993 Latur earthquake victims in Maharashtra, and $ 260,000 for relief following the Kargil crisis this year.

This month IDRF said it has received over $ 300,000 in donation for the Orissa cyclone relief fund.

IDFR President Vinod Prakash said that money came from a large number of donors, indicating a great community effort rather than only large amounts from a few donors.

"The response of the Indian-Americans to the needs of their brothers and sisters in India is gratifying to see," Prakash said.

The worst cyclone in 100 years hit the coast of the state of Orissa, in October. More than 15 million people, mostly poor, have been affected. As many as two million people are homeless. More than 200,000 houses were destroyed and vast tracts in the coastal areas submerged. Property damage has exceeded $ 1.5 billion.

Vinod Prakash, who also founded IDFR, is an MIT alumnus who has worked as an economist for the World Bank for four years, starting in 1971.

IDFR is a non-profit organization administered by volunteers with no honorarium or overhead and it channels all contributions to voluntary, non-governmental organizations that have been engaged in the relief and rehabilitation of victims.

Following the recent devastation in Orissa, IDRF has been working in close contact with the Oriyya Society of America and many other Indian-American religious and cultural organizations, including India Culture Center in Houston.

IDRF has identified and begun sending funds to one well-established NGO, the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti, in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. After the cyclone's devastation, UBSS volunteers were involved in relief efforts from the first day. Volunteers managed to reach even remote parts of the state and assist the victims.

About 12,500 volunteers, including 300 doctors, have been actively working with UBSS in this relief effort. They are providing food, water, clothes, medical care and other assistance and have served more than 200,000 people. Long-term needs are already being addressed by the organization.

Funds are being sent by IDRF to UBSS as they are made available through donations to IDRF. At least $ 80,000 have been sent through IDRF.

Besides accepting individual donations by check, IDRF is eligible to receive corporate-matching funds. Donors working for firms that have such a program are encouraged to take advantage of it to increase the funds available to help the victims of the disaster.

Gifts of appreciated stock can also be donated. This makes it possible to give generously without incurring the usual capital gains taxes, thus increasing the amount available significantly.

Vinod Prakash says that because of less publicity in the mainstream American media for this natural disaster than in the case of previous disasters, IDRF is more dependent on donations from Indian Americans.

Donations to IDRF are tax-exempt in United States. Checks can be made payable to IDRF and mailed to IDRF, 4807 Phebe Ave., Fremont CA 94555 USA. In the memo, please mention Orissa Cyclone Relief.

Further information can be found on the IDRF website: http://www.idrf.org. Additional contacts are IDRF President: Dr. Vinod Prakash 301-984-2127 (Phone/fax) and IDRF National Coordinator: Nagaraj Patil: 510-797-5601, idrf@aol.com.

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