Community Update

Hurricane Sandy Remains a Huge and Dangerous Storm.
UNITED SIKHS working with other agencies in relief operations

New York, USA: As the East Coast braces for the megastorm, UNITED SIKHS is working closely with the Office of Emergency Management and State VOADs to track the impact and providing relief services .

UNITED SIKHS is also collaborating with American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee on plans to convert the Gurdwaras (Sikh place of worship) into shelters and making arrangements for providing food and water to those impacted by this devastating storm.

Flash flooding and lengthy power outages are expected. The Hurricane has already caused massive destruction in its path and is expected to affect 60 million people. More than 100,000 people are without power across several East Coast states. President Barack Obama in his statement today said, “We are working closely with FEMA and local and state officials .This is going to be a big and powerful storm and all across the Eastern Seaboard, I think everybody is taking the appropriate preparations.Please listen to what your state and local officials are saying. Don’t pause or question for instructions. This is a serious storm.”

UNITED SIKHS urges all families to be fully prepared in this category 1 hurricane and expect a loss of power, water, and potentially even shelter. Be aware of the exact locations of your local shelters; make sure you have emergency bags packed ahead of time in the case that you need to vacate your home. Have your local police number saved ahead of time in your charged phones and seal your windows and doors. Have a food and water supply to last at least a few days in the case that electricity and water are cut off to your home.

UNITED SIKHS also urges all of those in need of help and resources to call the UMEED national helpline at 1-855-878-6333. Below is a list of emergency supplies that each family must have.

Emergency Supplies

(Adapted from and copuready.gov)

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Local maps, copies of important documents
• First Aid kit with a whistle to signal for help
• 7 day supply of your prescription medications if you take any routinely, Infant formula and diaper
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, Fire extinguisher
• Can opener for food (if a kit contains canned food)
• Clothing and Bedding
  • One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:
  • A jacket or coat, Long pants, long sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes
• A hat and gloves
• A sleeping bag/warm blanket for each person

UNITED SIKHS urges other Sikh organizations and community members to be a part of this effort and contact UNITED SIKHS for any coordinated effort.

Please contact UNITED SIKHS at sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org for any communication.

Issued by:
Gurvinder Singh
National Director, Sikh Aid
sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org | unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org
UNITED SIKHS:
Phone: 1-888-243-1690, 1-646-688-3525, 1-469-222-6288

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UNITED SIKHS serves in the fields of:

Sikh-Aid:The Sikh Aid team provides non-partisan global humanitarian disaster relief services, which not only provide immediate aid but also rehabilitation help to the needy.

International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA): Standing up for and helping protect  the civil and human rights of minorities and marginalized groups in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Community Empowerment and Education Division (CEED): Empowering individuals and groups to attain their full potential and become active participants in society through Education, Training and Community development projects. They take their place in the decision-making processes in their local community as well as in the international arena.

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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.