Brooklyn, NY: UNITED SIKHS is providing urgent legal advocacy services and serving Langgar (traditional Sikh community hot meals) to Haitian families in NYC impacted by the earthquake and to Haitian repatriates who have arrived in the US. Legal assistance is being provided at the New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center at the New York National Guard Armory in Brooklyn, and at the Family Support Center at the Haitian First Church of the Brethren in Brooklyn organized in conjunction with New York  Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and the American Red Cross. Langgar was served to Haitian families and visitors to the Family Support Center.

Birmohan Singh at the Family Resource Center at the New York National Guard Armory

UNITED SIKHS is involved in doing intake and reviewing cases brought to the Family Resource Center and has undertaken urgent legal advocacy in cases. Cases stem from distressing and heart wrenching circumstances, like the case of a permanent resident mother looking for a way to bring her 5 year old daughter to live with her in the US after her daughter’s guardians died in the earthquake. The daughter is currently living in a camp with a friend’s friend. Harrowed by the uncertainty of her daughter’s conditions, she approached UNITED SIKHS, who has now undertaken the case and is working to help find a way to bring her child home with her.

Peter Gudaitis, M.Div, (Deployed on Haiti Relief with New York Disaster Interfaith Services) President, National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN) commented, “UNITED SIKHS’ legal services have brought hope of reunification with loved ones and orphaned children when no government agency or other NGO was offering anything concrete.” The UNITED SIKHS legal team is doing intake at the Family Resource Center, and working on several reunification and family adoption cases, helping Haitian families navigate the legal system at a time that is emotionally challenging.

Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney, UNITED SIKHS commented, “The Haitian earthquake has left many severely affected, and we are working to address the needs of the people on the ground as well those of families here.” He added, “We have received emails and feedback from people thanking us and saying that they appreciate the work we do. We are glad to represent the Sikh community in this effort and assist in this time of need.”

The Langgar sewa began on January 19 and continued to provide hot meals to people in the Center until February 8. “Immediately following the Haiti Earthquake, as always, UNITED SIKHS was one of our first partners to offer us support and have critical relief operations running, not only in Haiti, but for the impacted Haitian community in NYC” said Peter Gudaitis. “Theprovision of hot meals for NYC Haitian families in crisis, our neighbors, has been a vital and sacred act of hospitality that will always be remembered.”

Families in New York and in Haiti are in desperate need, and need your help. Your donation of any amount could help save lives by providing food, water, temporary shelter, medical services, advocacy, and emotional support to people in need. Please click here to donate.

To read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts, visit

https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-05-02-2010-00.html

https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-04-02-2010-00.html

https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-27-01-2010-00.html

Issued by:
Kuldip Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS
sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org
Ph: 1-888-243-1690