How NRIs in Texas Are Helping Hundreds of Victims of Hurricane Harvey

September 5, 2017

Coming out in groups, these Indian-American residents in Houston are providing whatever relief material they can to the victims.

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One of the most destructive storms in US history, Hurricane Harvey has caused catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas.

According to NDTV, about 1.5 lakh Indian-Americans and Indians live in the greater Houston area in the state. One-in-four Indian-Americans has been displaced in the catastrophe, estimates Gitesh Desai, who is the president of SEWA International in Houston.

At a time like this, the Indian-American youth in Texas is going all out to help hundreds of people affected by the floods. From food, medical aid to shelter – they’re offering whatever they can.

By making good use of social media, a number of groups of volunteers are sharing details of victims and reaching out to them.

Image shared by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Source: Twitter

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston shared images on Twitter of the youth volunteering in providing relief, and how they spent the first half of the day at a library salvaging books.

“This time the power of young and dynamic is really visible as first generation Indian-American teenage kids are enthusiastically registering for providing Harvey relief at major shelters and food banks under the banner of SEWA International,” Vijay Pallod, an active Houston Community member, told NDTV.

The victims are also finding refuge in temples, gurudwaras and mosques that have opened their doors for them. Indian restaurants are providing free food and other necessary supplies to them.

Through SEWA International, organisations like Hindus of Greater Houston, India House, India Culture Center, the Indo American Charity Foundation, Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston and the Indo American Political Action Committee are also helping provide relief to the victims, reports the publication.