ASIA/INDIA – Floods in Kashmir: Jesuits appeal for help

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) – “We are aware of devastating floods in Kashmir. Two primary necessities, financial aid to buy materials, medicines and humanitarian aid and activate a network of volunteers”. This was said in a report sent to Fides by Jesuit Father Louis Prakash SJ, who is sensitising the entire Jesuit community in India to organize help for the stricken people. “We launch our appeal in the name of a Forum comprising various pro-human rights associations in direct contact with several villages in Kashmir”, the priest explained.
Among the medicines, antibiotics are most urgent to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, and also sanitary materials such as masks and overalls and coats for volunteers and doctors. The well renowned Jesuit run India Social Institute of Delhi, is one of several collect points.
The Indian authorities are still in a state of emergency after floods in Kashmir caused by monsoon rains. Many rivers burst the banks, causing a total number of at least 200 dead. Rescue workers in India say they have evacuated 130,000 people, but are unable to reach another 300,000 waiting for help in villages in the affected area. The danger, as days pass, is possible outbreaks of gastroenteritis, cholera and conjunctivitis, after flood waters destroyed the water system and interrupted the distribution of clean water, indispensable and available now only to 20% of the population of Kashmir. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2014)