Chandigarh, November 6
The Chicago-based International Human Welfare Organisation (IHO) may adopt one of the quake-hit villages in Baramulla or Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir, says Sant Daljit Singh revealing that the organisation will help in “rebuilding the devastated village”.Talking to The Tribune over the telephone from Srinagar where volunteers of the organisation are already working in quake-affected areas, disbursing relief, Sant Daljit Singh said an emergency meeting of the IHO had been convened to sanction a special grant of $ 50,000 (US) for the ongoing relief operations in the valley.
“We will generate our own funds for the continuation of relief operations as well as rebuilding one of the devastated villages. We also want to focus on rebuilding schools in some of the areas so that education of children is not affected,” says Sant Daljit Singh.
“There is an urgent need to improve the quality of school education in many of the quake-torn areas. Whatever rudiments of infrastructure is left in the quake-ravaged areas, there needs to be a concerted effort to build good modern classrooms and improve classroom teaching,” he said revealing that the IHO would solicit help from other non-government organisations (NGOs) in this regard.
“The October 8 quake has wreaked havoc in the valley and some of the border districts. Our volunteers are trying to reach each and every corner of the affected areas with supplies of eatables, medicines, blankets, tents and other items. Disbursement of relief is irrespective of caste, creed or religion of the victims,” he states.
He said many affected areas could be reached only with the help of the state administration as roads, bridges had been damaged and rendered beyond any further use.
“I have been meeting representatives of all communities by visiting all quake-affected areas. We have been trying to assess the type of relief material required by people in different areas. Accordingly, material is sent to those people in accordance with their requirements,” he added.
