Press Release
Monday, 10 October, 2005
26 Assu (Samvat 537 Nanakshahi)
New Orleans Sikhs Suffered Several Million Dollars Worth of Flood Damage
To donate go to www.unitedsikhs.org/donate
To volunteer download and complete volunteer application.
Bhupinder Singh's condominium destroyed by floods (Photo 1).
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: A third of affected New Orleans Sikh families surveyed by UNITED SIKHS have reported property damage worth more than 3.5 million dollars. The total loss suffered by all the 50 Sikh families will be known when the UNITED SIKHS survey is completed by the end of this week. Not all the affected families were covered by insurance for flood damage.
Sikh families in Louisiana have been describing the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to UNITED SIKHS volunteer from the United Kingdom, Meerat Kaur. UNITED SIKHS, with the help of Sumir Kaur, President of New Orleans Gurdwara Sahib, has been compiling a database of Sikh families in Louisiana, and assessing their needs in the post-disaster recovery process. UNITED SIKHS volunteers have also been talking to Sindhi and Hindu families about their losses. The database which will be ready by the end of next week will help ensure that the resettlement needs of the South Asian minority community are met.
The data collected so far show that the aftermath has had varied effects depending on the area of the State in which the Sikh families lived. Those who lived in the worst hit areas of the region have reported destroyed homes and ruined businesses, and many have been left in financial difficulty and an uncertain future.
Bhupinder Singh's condominium destroyed by floods (Photo 2).
Forty-year-old Bhupinder Singh, one of the many victims, told UNITED SIKHS of the total destruction to his condominium. The condominium had been Singh's residence for 13 years, and was completely destroyed when 20ft of water entered the residence. Singh had moved to Mississippi when the evacuation warning was issued. Sikh business owners also told of their loss, as the hurricanes indiscriminately wrecked anything in their path. Some will now spend months, if not years, recouping their losses and rebuilding their lives.
The small Sikh community in New Orleans is a minority among minorities and their needs may be easily overlooked. Consequently, Sumir Kaur emphasised the importance of collecting such data so that the needs of the Sikh survivors are satisfactorily met.
Sumir Kaur stated "I thank the UNITED SIKHS for their continued effort and multifaceted help offered to the Sikh community affected by the wrath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in New Orleans and vicinity. The UNITED SIKHS are in the process of assessing the needs of Katrina and Rita affected Sikh families. I appeal to the international community to support and help the Louisiana Sikh Sangat to pick up the pieces and rebuild and reconstruct their lives. For more information go to www.neworleansgurdwara.org
Katrina Hurricane Relief Links
Issued by:
Meerat Kaur
Director
UNITED SIKHS
Katrina-project@unitedsikhs.org
Tel 1 6463385996 (Toll Free: 1-888-243-1690)
Our Mission
To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.
UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.
UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.
Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.
We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.