Disaster Relief Initiatives

IAHV US collects funds and goods to support emergency services and material aid in the aftermath of disasters provided by other IAHV country organizations and its partner organization, the Art of Living Foundation.

 

Japan Earthquake, 2011

The Disaster: 9.0 Richter Scale Disaster. 15,854 deaths, 26,992 injured, and 3,155 people missing, 340,000 displaced people in the Tōhoku region, and shortages of food, water, shelter, medicine and fuel for survivors.

 IAHV’s Intervention:

  • Financial support of Asia Medical Relief in Toholu region
  • Cultural revival of local dance form
  • Assist community in rebuilding library
  • Trauma relief programs
  • Revival and prayer events

 

Haiti Earthquake, 2010

The Disaster: 7.0 Richter Scale Disaster. 230,000 killed, 300,000 injured, 1 million homeless, 1 million orphans.

IAHV’s Intervention:

  • Trauma Relief: 2,380 receive trauma relief
  • Empowerment: 470 receive empowerment training
  • Sustainable food aid: 4 intensive food gardens, 2 composting systems

 

South India Flood Relief, 2009

The Disaster: 520,000 displaced; 26,000 homes collapsed in Andra Pradesh and Northern Karnataka.

IAHV’s Intervention:

  • Trauma relief: impacting 65% of residents in 31 villages
  • Material aid: 8 Tons of Food Grains, 3600 packets of Biscuits and 50kgs of Milk powder, 220 water filters
  • Medical care: 6 doctors organized 10 medical camps
  • Building construction of 143 homes

 

Sri Lanka Tamil Refugee Relief

The Disaster: the Sri Lankan civil war was very costly, killing an estimated 80,000–100,000 people. the British daily estimates the death toll for final four months of the war (from mid-January to mid-May) to be 20,000. 125,000 of Sri Lankans have been displaced across the island due to the civil war and the tsunami.

 IAHV Intervention:

  • Relief materials, trauma relief workshops offered in IDP camps
  • Diplomatic tour by Sri Sri

 

Haiti Flood Relief, 2008

The Disaster: 3 hurricanes within a few weeks, destroying homes, crops, businesses, and killing thousands. Massive food shortages and lack of clean drinking water.

 IAHV Intervention:

  • Trauma Relief for 560 flood victims
  • Material aid: 5 truckloads of non-perishable food, clothing, and over-the-counter medicine collected and distributed

 

Sichuan Earthquake, 2008

The Disaster: 8.0 magnitude earthquake, the worst to strike the Sichuan district in over 30 years, killing 68,000 people. 374,176 injured, with 18,222 listed as missing, and 4.8 million homeless.

IAHV Intervention:

  • Trauma Relief: 137 programs benefitting 6,565 aid workers, children, and adults
  • Psychosocial Support Center: established in Sichuan with local trainers and staff.

 

Kashmir Earthquake, 2005

The Disaster: The Kashmiri 2006 Earthquake, a 7.5 Earthquake, killing 75,000, has been dubbed the “children’s catastrophe,” with 50% of its victims children.

 IAHV Intervention:

  • Trauma relief camps for 25,000 adults and 800 children
  • Orphanage established serving 300 Kashmiri children from both Hindu and Muslim backgrounds.

 

Hurricane Katrina, 2005

The Disaster: Breached 53 levees in New Orleans, 1,836 died directly, looting and violence.

IAHV Intervention:

  • Trauma relief for 2,600 aid workers, children, and adults, trained
  • 161 university students in trauma relief

 

Asian Tsunami, India and Sri Lanka, 2004

The Disaster: The third largest earthquake ever recorded, 227,898 died, homes and schools destroyed, local economies destroyed.

IAHV intervention:

  • 300 IAHV volunteers from around the world
  • Trauma relief for ~50,000 in South India, 25,000 in Sri Lanka
  • Built and run new primary and higher secondary school in Nagapatnam
  • Built and run orphanage and primary school in Sri Lanka
  • Provided $1.05 million in food, medical aid, clothing to 10 villages
  • Sponsored research on impact of trauma relief programs on tsunami research

 

Gujarat Earthquake, 2001

The Disaster: 7.6-7.9 Richter scale magnitude, killed around 20,000 people, injured another 167,000 and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes.

IAHV Intervention:

  • Food aid: 30,000 people
  • Relief material worth $111,000
  • Built model township: 124 homes, causeway, water tanks, drainage system, community hall, school, place of worship
  • Built tribal school
  • Built 14 temporary schools fully functional 3 months after earthquake