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Notre Dame India Mission |
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Sharing God’s Goodness With The People of India |
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In the News |
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To reach us: Phone: 440-279-1160 Toll free: 1-888-ND-INDIA Fax: 440-279-1167
Mail: Notre Dame India Mission 1300o Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024
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Floods Hit Bihar—We Respond! Perhaps you have read about the recent floods in northern India. We received information from our Sisters in the state of Bihar, which has been badly hit during August, 2007. Sr. Prema Devaraj, MD, sent the following account from the village of Raxaul: The cry of the flood victims of Bihar rose to the Lord. Overnight, the fury of the rising water swallowed their homes. The mud huts just collapsed, resulting in more than 500 deaths. We saw this tragic scene unfold in front of our convent. We, too, were marooned, unable to reach our people. This is the worst flood since 1950. Whole villages have disappeared under the water. For four days our health workers waded in the gushing water to reach the people. Each night they reported one pathetic story after another. People drink the dirty water. The fury of the floods has split brick buildings, felled huge trees, carried away people and cattle -- the rescuer becoming the victim in many families. When the waters receded a little, we Sisters went out. People are taking refuge on the embankments. Left to fend for themselves without immediate relief from the government, the people are desperate. Their few cattle are gone, their rice fields are completely destroyed. The fear of epidemics haunts us. The work is far from over. We have to continue to help our people pick up their shattered lives and begin anew. Our Sisters in Bihar have identified 38 villages with about 75,000 people who desperately need relief. Our missionaries need at least $16,000 to provide the people with food, medicine, and plastic tarps and bamboo poles to make tents. This will take care of their immediate needs. Then they can start the long process of rebuilding. Please use our secure website to make a gift to aid the flood victims now!
Srs. Celine and Satya (top) distribute rice Sr. Grace (center) and health workers go to the flood victims. to help the villagers. |
