FAQ - Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts

• Updates on activities in India.
• Donations for Relief & Rehabilitation.
• How else can I help?
• Questions about Asha.

UPDATES ON ACTIVITES IN INDIA

1. Are Asha projects affected?
   We are still in the process of contacting all of our projects in the affected states. Please visit our blog http://ashatsunamirelief.blogspot.com for more information on specific projects. The blog will be updated as news comes in.



2. Where can I get updates on the relief and rehabilitation work currently in progress in India?
   Please visit our blog site at http://ashatsunamirelief.blogspot.com. This is being updated as reports from our volunteers and project partners in India come in.



3. I know some people in southern India and want to know if they are safe.
   Limited information on how to find out about people in affected areas is available at http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com.



4. Is Asha working with other groups and NGOs in the affected areas?
   Yes, Asha is currently working with our project partners, and is willing to work with like-minded organizations in the US and India. There are efforts to collaborate with AID, TNSF (Tamil Nadu Science Forum), ICA (Indians for Collective Action) and others.

DONATIONS FOR RELIEF & REHABILITATION

1. How can I donate to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in India?
   Please visit our secure online donation page for more details: https://www.ashanet.org/donate/tsunami-relief-donation.php



2. How does Asha plan to spend the money?
   Asha will first commit monies for immediate relief (food, shelter). We are working with our Chennai volunteers, as well as our project partners in affected states, to ascertain how we can support mid-term efforts (construction, sanitation) and long-term rehabilitation efforts (restoring livelihood).



3. I want to donate some clothes/blankets. Is Asha organizing a clothes drive?
   Outside India: Asha is not able to accept clothes/blankets and is currently not accepting in-kind donations for Tsunami victims.
   Within India: Asha will be able to coordinate the free transportation of clothes/blankets from major cities in India to Chennai, as long as details of both the sending and receiving NGOs are provided. We will not be able to accept any other in-kind donations. Please contact Rajeev Muralidhar at rajeev.d.muralidhar@intel.com for more details if you wish to donate clothes/blankets.



4. Is all the money being collected by Asha for Tsunami victims being used for Tsunami relief and rehabilitation?
   All money donated to the Tsunami Relief Fund through Asha will be earmarked only for Tsunami-related relief and rehabilitation efforts in India, either at affected Asha projects or in local communities where a specific need is identified by Asha volunteers, our project partners and/or other relief organizations working in affected areas.



5. Can donations be made directly to Asha Chennai?
   In order to track monies being donated to the Tsunami Relief Fund, please use these guidelines in making any donations to Asha in India:
   http://ashatsunamirelief.blogspot.com/2004/12/financial-contributions-to-asha-india.html



6. My company will match my donation. What process should I follow?
   Please fill out the matching donation forms and mail these to the following address:
   Asha for Education
   Ref: Matching Donation for Tsunami Relief Fund
   P.O. Box 322
   New York, NY 10040-0322
   

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

1. How can I help with the relief efforts besides donating?
   Depending on your location, these are the main ways in which you can help:
   Outside India:
   
   • Help Asha contact its project partners in affected areas.
   • Spread the word about the relief and rehabilitation efforts to friends and family: the sheer scale of this disaster means that rehabilitation efforts in particular will need long-term support.
   • Help to collate the information needed as relief and rehabilitation proposals come in.
   • Please contact Sanjeev Ranganathan at san.ranga@gmail.com for more information on how you can help.
   Within India:
   
   • Help directly with relief and rehabilitation efforts.
   • Keep in touch with Asha volunteers and our project partners in India.
   • Please contact Asha Chennai www.ashanet.org/chennai for more information on how you can help.


2. I am in India right now and would like to help. Who can I contact for more information?
   Please contact Asha Chennai volunteers www.ashanet.org/chennai for more information on how you can help.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ASHA.

1. Is Asha a registered 501(c)3 non-profit group?
   Yes, Asha for Education is a registered 501(c)3 organization in the United States.



2. Where can I find out more about Asha for Education?
   Information about Asha and our activities can be found on our website at www.ashanet.org.



3. I would like to talk to an Asha representative.
   For media inquiries, please contact pr@ashanet.org.

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