News & Updates

I'm happy to report that the first of the CoAid volunteer teams will start distribution of essential items such as food and blankets within the next 24 hours. It's taken until now simply because we were caught unprepared and needed time to set up the teams and send the funds they needed.

The following video from New Tang Dynasty Television gives some insight into the situation our teams will soon find themselves.

"I came back to the village only to discover that there is nothing left here. The house is damaged, there is no food, nothing at all."

Over the last 24 hours the response by our supporters to the CoAid India Flood Appeal has been very encouraging.

Last night I met with Luke Oravec, the CoAid treasurer to discuss how we plan to use the funds. We are confident we can get 2 volunteer teams into the field within days with enough supplies to sustain several hundred families. Off course, we always hope we could do more but we're limited by resources and capacity in the field.

A few days we added CoAid to the Facebook "Causes" application. We were a bit skeptical at first, but within 24 hours we received a $1,041 donation to our India Flood Appeal. WOW!

Check it out at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/366521

One of the most satisfying parts of my job at CoAid is to see how other people run with their delegated tasks. In India right now there are people I've never met who are self-organizing and readying themselves to respond to the most urgent needs. The only frustrating thing is that we weren't prepared in time to get the necessary funds to them by now.

In Colorado, we have board members and supporters rallying to the cause, and online supporters from around the globe are helping in whatever way they can.

The following letter was just sent to our Community Relief Teams in India.

I share this letter with you all because I think it's important to know that partnership, teamwork and communicating a strong sense of purpose it vital in what we do and why we do it. Hopefully, it will shed further light on our mission and core values.

Blessings,

Steve

Dear Friends,

It is my great privilege to be writing to you.

Bhargav Kurapait, our contact for India has reported that the situation in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is "awful" with an estimated 1,500 people dead.

Bhargav Kurapati, a good friend of CoAid is in Denver right now. Phil (VP) and I met with him this morning to discuss other business but decided we needed to get the India Flood Appeal underway. Bhargav is acting as our main contact to get the relief project organized.

A busy day, but feeling good that we got something in motion so quickly.

Praying that people will respond to the call and give generously -- there are many people who need our help right now.