#AmphanCyclone: Here's how you can donate to relief funds to help cyclone-ravaged Bengal and Odisha

Students, local groups, NGOs, and people from around the world are providing financial support to West Bengal after the super cyclone pummeled through the state leaving behind a trail of destruction
Donate for Amphan relief| Picture: Facebook, other sources and EdexLive
Donate for Amphan relief| Picture: Facebook, other sources and EdexLive

The death toll from super cyclone Amphan in West Bengal rose to 77 on Friday. As disaster management and civil authorities scrambled to restore normal life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew down to the state capital to take stock of the situation. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday has also assured all possible assistance to West Bengal. Patnaik spoke to CM Mamata Banerjee over the telephone on Friday morning and assured all help in terms of men and material to overcome this critical situation.

While the state and the central government is doing what it can to support cyclone-ravaged Bengal, there are numerous other organisations, NGOs, student groups, local groups doing their bit to help in these times of distress. Support has been pouring in from around the world let alone across the country. Here's a list of such platforms and donation links where you can do your bit too.

1. The West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund: The state government's official relief fund has begun allowing donations for relief work concerning cyclone Amphan. These funds will be disbursed through government officials and agencies only. Contribution to this fund entitles you to claim a 100 per cent deduction under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

To donate: http://wbfin.nic.in/New_Fin/HomePage.aspx


2. Jadavpur Commune, run and supported by Jadavpur University students, research scholars and alumni, has been operational since before the national lockdown started, manufacturing sanitiser and disinfectants, and distributing them in and around campus to guards, civic volunteers, delivery personnel, etc. Their community kitchen, running since the beginning of the national lockdown, serves hot lunch to over 600 people daily in the Jadavpur, Dhakuria, Golpark and Charu Market areas. They also distribute rations to migrant labourers and the homeless. Post-Amphan, JUC is organising relief for the victims while keeping the community kitchen going.

Contact for donations or volunteer help:

1) Hindol Mazumdar 8902712637
2) Sourav Sahoo 9051712203
3) Angana Kundu 9874829895
4) Anuska Paul 9123887617
5) Avik Das 8116454727

3. Humans of Patuli Neighbourhood COVID/Amphan support team: Humans of Patuli, a neighbourhood group started by people living in the Patuli area, has been working on the ground with people who have lost livelihoods for over a month now and have expanded their work to providing relief to Amphan victims. The group had come together during the CAA/NRC protests in January before the pandemic struck. They had been going door-to-door to spread awareness. "We had already been spreading awareness, after the Coronavirus outbreak we pooled in our resources to help people with regular food and other daily needs. Now, we are doing the same for Amphan relief," says Utsarjana, one of the members.

For donations, contact: Utsarjana Mutsuddi 9836302826
 


4. Amphan Super Cyclone Response by Quarantined Student-Youth Network (QSY)
The students of Bengal have been trying to stand by the general citizens across districts in the state. Among various initiatives that have come up, there is a network - Quarantined Student-Youth Network. "Through 26 People's Kitchens, we have been able to provide cooked meals to almost 100,000 people and rations to approximately 9000 families in close to 360 villages. This network has not limited itself to Bengal and has been working across Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad as well. We have tried to deliver rations worth two weeks to more than 8500 migrant workers. Now we are committed to stand by as many cyclone-affected people as we can!" says Debojit Thakur, one of the founding members of QSY.

The areas they are covering include: North 24 Parganas: Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj, Hasnabad, Minakhan, South 24 Parganas: Canning, Kultali, Basanti, Gosaba, Kakdwip, Sagar, Namkhana, Patharpratima, East Midnapore: Khejuri, Ramnagar, Contai.

You can fill up this Google form https://forms.gle/9ZDRiLe2AQC2dZAj7 to lend a hand to their Network. For those of you who want to contribute financially can contact Manmatha Ray 91630 03100, Debojit Thakur 7292013690. They are also accepting direct transfers from the UK & EU (though it has to be made into an individual's account). For more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/Thakur1.618  

5. International Fundraiser for West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund: In case you are looking for an easy way to contribute to the West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund from outside India this is where you can donate. A Yale student from India and The Yale South Asian Graduate Students' Association are managing the operations.

To donate: https://www.facebook.com/donate/3400431146656147/1309400379257208/


6. Asha for Education NGO- Cyclone Amphan Devastating West Bengal & Odisha Regions: Asha for Education supports 36 projects, predominantly in rural areas, across West Bengal and Odisha.

Direct donation link: https://donate.ashanet.org/?e=1357

Asha projects in West Bengal: https://ashanet.org/projects-list/state=19&chapter&status=1&type

Asha projects in Odisha: https://ashanet.org/projects-list/?state=21&chapter&status=1&type

To donate from Canada: https://www.paypal.com/ca/fundraiser/charity/3413347


7. Sabuj Sangha is committed to improving the lives of people who are less fortunate in West Bengal, through participation and empowerment. Community engagement is an essential aspect of all their health and nutrition activities. Their healthcare staff holds regular health camps throughout villages in the Sundarbans to spread information about the importance of a nutritional diet and sanitation practices. Their staff also works to link communities with service providers so that patients can access mandated Government services and schemes. Their Safe Motherhood in the Sundarbans program aims at reducing maternal and child mortality through increased antenatal and postnatal care.

To donate for Amphan relief: https://sabujsangha.org/donate.html

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