Dear Friend,

I wanted to bring to light the true conditions of families struggling to piece together their lives in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin. Despite the minimal loss of life, the cyclone and the subsequent heavy rainfall created significant harm especially in the lives of the poor and marginalised families.

12-year-old Bani Singhand her family were one such family that have had their lives destroyed. Her parents work as agricultural labourers. The floods damaged her house and washed away her text books. Her school, Kalipur Upper Primary School reopened on 31st October, but she can't go to school, as she doesn't have any books to carry.

She, along with her siblings, has been living in the makeshift camp near NH 60 in Balasore with other families of her village. With a sad smile Bani told our team, “I don't like staying here. I want to go back to my house. The heavy vehicles that pass at night make a lot of noise and I can't sleep. I feel scared here.”

Bani's story, is one among the many stories of marooned families and disrupted lives and that is the true face of flood-hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh now.

We have been responding and supporting children and families with relief materials. Our target is to reach 5000 flood-affected families in the up-coming months.

I therefore urge you to come forward and contribute for the cause of the families especially children affected in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Time is of the essence here, as the coming months of winter will pose severe challenges for families that remain stranded without winter clothing or blankets.

Your contribution can help us ramp up our efforts and reach the children and their families at the earliest.

Sincerely,