Cyclone Amphan + COVID-19 Fundraiser for West Bengal & Odisha

Rural and coastal communities in West Bengal and Odisha have already been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis and ensuing Government lockdown. Now, in the last 24+ hours, another existential threat has emerged in the region in the form of Cyclone Amphan - one of the strongest cyclones to hit the subcontinent in recent times. NEARLY 30 MILLION people are expected to be affected by this cyclone. The impact of Amphan has been amplified due to the COVID-19 lockdown, with many families unable to evacuate in advance and crucial relief efforts delayed. We are receiving regular updates from ground-zero by Asha projects such as Mukti, based in Purbasridharpur (https://ashanet.org/project/?pid=788). The latest communications from Mukti report wind speeds of 100-160kmph battering houses filled with families, and widespread flooding destroying schools & crops, and causing road blockages. Additionally, Mukti reports that flood relief centers are presently packed, and the threat of a COVID-19 epidemic breaking out in these centers is extremely high at the moment. Asha for Education supports 36 projects, predominantly in rural areas, across West Bengal and Odisha. Our educational projects act as linchpins in the communities that they serve, and at this crucial time are local nodes for mobilizing emergency supplies and support. Please help Asha support Amphan + COVID-19 relief efforts for our projects in West Bengal and Odisha at this critical time. Your donation directly helps our projects provide relief to these local communities facing devastation.