Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) sends its largest ever donation to survivors of the Kyegudo earthquake.
1.35 million rupees will help feed women and children who have no access to nutritious food and clean water
Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) sends its largest ever donation to survivors of the Kyegudo earthquake. April 28, 2010; In the wake of the disastrous earthquake that struck Kyegudo in eastern Tibet on April 14 this year, leaving more than 2,000 dead, 10,000 injured and hundreds of thousands homeless, the Tibetan Women's Association and its 52 regional chapters have raised one million rupees (Rs. 1,000,000) for the quake survivors. Today, on the auspicious occasion of the 15th day of the month, the money has been dispatched via Yushu Earthquake Relief Fund of Tibet Foundation, UK. The donation is the largest TWA has ever made in its 51-year history. The executive members and staff of Central TWA are foregoing 20 percent of their April salary.
Reports coming out of Tibet highlight the lack of food and water available to survivors, who are living off instant noodles and packed/tinned food. The TWA's donation is for immediate provision of clean drinking water and nutritious food for women and children, who we believe are the most vulnerable group. It is estimated that 65 percent of the surviving population are women and children, including 1,500 orphans. Most are homeless – the earthquake destroyed 85 percent of the homes in Kyegudo.
TWA's main concern is to ensure that the money it has raised reaches the people who need it most. On the basis of a careful study of several worthy aid organisations, in and outside Tibet that are engaged in relief operations in Kyegudo and also consulting many responsible people (both Tibetans and non Tibetans) regarding the best channel to forward the donations collected, the TWA has decided to send the funds through the Yushu Earthquake Relief Fund of Tibet Foundation, UK.
TWA made the above decision mainly because Tibet Foundation is a UK registered charity (292400) with over 25 years experience in successfully running aid projects in Asia, including relief work during natural disasters in Tibetan inhabited areas: the snow-storm disaster in Sershul, East Tibet (Sichuan, 1995), the landslide disaster in Yushu, East Tibet (Qinghai, 2007) and the earthquake in Aba (Sichuan, 2008. Tibet Foundation works with close cooperation with the local people as well as the Governmental authorities at the various levels of administration.
We have specifically asked the donations to be used solely for humanitarian purposes in the areas of health and poverty relief projects for the victims of the recent Yushu Earthquake on April 14th. The Tibet Foundation Yushu Earthquake Committee will implement disaster relief work based on need assessments carried out by their field officers. Tibet Foundation has assured TWA of the established procedures for transparent monitoring and evaluation of project works and to ensure that the relief efforts will be used for humanitarian purposes only.
TWA's President, Dolkar Lhamo Kirti, said: 'The post earthquake relief efforts and the expression of solidarity and support firom Tibetans, both inside and outside of Tibet, have been truly inspiring. TWA and its chapters will continue to raise funds and donate through the Yushu Earthquake Relief Committee, as the resettlement and rehabilitation work inside Kyegudo will last for a couple of years. TWA will strive hard to contribute in any possible way to strengthen the spirit of the earthquake survivors and to rebuild the beautiful town of Kyegudo.'
TWA also sends an earnest appeal to the Chinese Government to acknowledge the wishes of the Tibetan people, particularly the survivors of the Kyegudo earthquake, who are clinging to the hope of a possible visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He Himself has expressed a strong intention to visit the ravaged area.
On 14 April 2011- the first anniversary of the Kyegudo earthquake, TWA send another ONe Lakh Thirty FIve thousand rupees through to continue assisting the health and poverty relief projects underway in Kyegudo.