UNITED SIKHSWinner of the Sikhs and Charities Award
May 1, 2011
18th Vaisakh (Samvat 543 Nanakshahi)
Press Release
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50 days from Tsunami in Japan, it is a long road to recovery for those affected: UNITED SIKHS Volunteers continue to serve at relief shelters in Japan

Highlights:

  • UNITED SIKHS serve hot meals in shelters at Tsukuba International Congress Center and Kesennuma Sogo Taikikan Center
  • The threat of a worsening radiation situation in the Fukushima Prefecture remains a worrisome risk to volunteers and care providers.   

Chiba, Japan: 50 days from the Earthquake and Tsunami, 127, 817 persons remained in evacuation centers in the three worst affected prefectures (i.e. Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima), still displaced by the disaster. Overall, the quake and tsunami is believed to have killed nearly 26,000 people, though only about 14,500 bodies have been found. Many likely were swept out to sea and will never be found.

As people come to terms with their loss of loved one's, homes, and livelihood, a reminder that they are not alone and that people across the globe feel their pain, helps the healing process. UNITED SIKHS volunteers, with the guidance of local authorities have traveled to shelters with this message by binging nutritious hot meals and relief supplies. They served hot meals to 500 people at the shelter Tsukuba International Congress Center located in Tsukuba City and called as the Ibaraki-prefecture. People in this shelter came from the Fukushima and Miyagi Prefecture.

 
UNITED SIKHS volunteers in a Sendai shelter with relief supplies   The Volunteer team leaves for Kesennuma Sogo Taikukan in Kesennuma city

For pictures of relief work by UNITED SIKHS volunteers in March/April 2011, Click here. 

The volunteers also went to the Kesennuma Sogo Taikukan in Kesennuma city with more than 1200 people at the shelter. They distributed soap, supplies for babies, sanitary items, garments, and snacks . The UNITED SIKHS volunteers are liaising with  Akita-Ken Government Officers, Red Cross Japan, Saitam-Ken DMAT, and volunteers from the Kesennuma Senior High School Volunteers to provide relief services.

 
UNITED SIKHS Volunteers work with local agencies: getting ready to serve "Langar"   Young volunteers make friends at the Kesennuma city shelter
Gursharanjeet Kaur, coordinating relief efforts with two other volunteers for UNITED SIKHS in Chiba, Japan, said "With the support of the Japanese Sikh community and Sangat world-wide our operations are on-going. We thank every individual and organization who has contributed to this cause". The UNITED SIKHS Aid team procures all relief items locally with the donations from the Sangat. Additional relief items will be procured and supplied based on assessment of needs by the local team in Chiba.
A "Thank You" Note from Kesennuma city shelter Chief

We encourage you to make monetary donations so we can continue to serve hot meals from time to time at the shelters. In these hard times for our Japanese brethren who continue to live in shelters for an extended period, "Langar" prepared and served with love by the volunteers, brings a healing touch.

How you can help: 

UNITED SIKHS is now collecting monetary donations only. To donate please Click Here. https://unitedsikhs.org/donate/. For more information on how you can assist please reach out to the UNITED SIKHS office closest to you at https://unitedsikhs.org/contact-us/.

 

Issued by:
Kanwaljit Kaur, Program Coordinator

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If you are in the Medical Profession and would like to be a part of the team to provide medical services to those affected by the Tsunami in Japan, please writ to us at: contact@unitedsikhs.org

 

Videos of UNITED SIKHS Aid Japan - March and April 2011:

1. UNITED SIKHS Volunteers reaching out to people affected in the Japan Tsunami, March/April 2011 (Panjabi): http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=FiyLEABXNR0

2. UNITED SIKHS Volunteers reaching out to people affected in the Japan Tsunami, March/April 2011 (English):  http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=H1INu4pVfSo

3. UNITED SIKHS Volunteers serve Langar in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, /April 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=eX7Nxa4Gmtk

UNITED SIKHS Aid - Japan details

https://www.unitedsikhs.org/
japan_tsunami/

 

We Thank all Individuals and Donors who have supported the relief work in Japan.

List of Organizations (not in any order) from the USA that have reached out to the local community and sent donations on their behalf:

  1. Sikh Center of New York, Flushing New York
  2. Gurdwara Saheb Glencove, LI, NY
  3. Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
  4. Dashmesh Darbar, Carteret,NJ
  5. El Sobrante Sikh Center, El Sobrante, California
  6. Gurdwara Sahib, Fremont, California
  7. Khalsa Peace Corps, LA, California
  8. Guru Angad Institute of Sikh Studies, Sterling, Virginia
  10. Sangram's Palace, Union City, California

You can help those affected by the current crises in Japan by making a financial gift to the UNITED SIKHS, which will provide immediate relief and support to those in need. Call   1-888-243-1690 for more information.


Donate Online
https://unitedsikhs.org/donate/
Contact Us

You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the UNITED SIKHS, which will provide immediate relief and support to those in need. You may donate online at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate  or send your donations to a UNITED SIKHS office nearest to you, whose details can be found at https://unitedsikhs.org/contact-us/ .

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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.