World Vision collects for flood survivors at Diwali Festival

Ahead of the annual Diwali Festival of Lights in New Zealand cities, World Vision New Zealand (WVNZ) has stepped up its emergency relief support for the Pan Asia-Pacific region by calling for donations to help assist hundreds of thousands of families affected by floods described as the “’worst in a century” in southern and western India.

Visitors to the Diwali celebrations at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on October 10 and 11 will be able to make donations to the flood-ravaged communities in India, through World Vision’s Asia-Pacific Emergency Fund. This fund was established in the wake of the recent series of natural disasters in the region.

The devastating floods in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Orissa, and Maharashtra in the west, have affected more than 20 million people, made 2.5 million people homeless, and left at least 300 dead.

World Vision India is appealing for US$2 million (NZ$3.3 million) to meet the immediate needs of flood survivors, and for longer term support to a further 25,000 flood-affected families.

WVNZ funds two development programmes in Orissa state, but none of the programmes or sponsored children have been affected by the floods.

World Vision will be the only international aid and development organisation represented at the Auckland Diwali Festival, which is expected to draw a crowd of more than 110,000.

“’We are proud to have a presence at Diwali, especially at this time of great loss and need in India. Our prayers are with the people and with all New Zealanders of Indian descent whose family or relatives may have been affected,” said Les Stephenson, acting CEO of WVNZ.

World Vision operations

World Vision is working with the United Nations and other non-government organisations in relief and emergency operations in the worst affected states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Cooked food and family packs, which include necessities, such as clothing and cooking utensils, are currently being distributed to 8000 families.

People who want to make a donation, may do so through World Vision New Zealand’s Asia-Pacific Emergency Relief Fund by going to https://www.worldvision.org.nz/Donations