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Letter received September 2008:

Dear Friends, We sincerely hope that you are already aware of plight of millions of people affected by the devastating flood in Kosi river, Bihar, India. Unofficial estimates say that about 2000 people lost their lives.  So far the disaster has already destroyed more than 1598 villages in 24 districts, forcing 2.5 million people to abandon their homes.  The total loss resulted by the flood is more than $ 2380/- million according to media reports. The seriousness of the disaster and the unfortunate plight of people affected seek immediate attention and support in all possible manners from the humanity. The fear of sporadic diseases is looming as the majority helpless victims are still waiting for the mercy of outside world for their bare necessities.   This flood situation has made women and children, of families whose husbands/fathers are earning in other states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana etc., more vulnerable as they have started migrating in search of food & safe shelter as everything they had is now washed away with the water of river Kosi. Human traffickers are also active at railway stations and other places which make the migration of the women and children from the flood affected areas difficult and unsafe.  The magnitude and scale of this natural disaster is too vast that the government machinery is struggling to extend sufficient support to the affected people.   As a solidarity measure, Tara has already started collecting resources to organize Relief and rehabilitation work to support the flood affected people. We are prioritizing the needs/ intervention areas with the help of volunteers who are doing relief work in the flood affected areas. Based on their observations and a visit by Tara team, a detailed Relief & Rehabilitation Plan will be made for implementation. The team of Tara will be implementing the project directly, with the help of local people and volunteers. ....We are thankful to you for your valuable support for this great humanitarian cause. Thank you for your solidarity and cooperation. Sincerely yours, Moon Sharma For Tara Projects