Refugees to the Rescue!

Contact is taking a holiday!

Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

August 31, 2018;

photo: VOT

The south Indian state of Kerala and its neighbouring regions were devastated in this year’s monsoon floods which caused loss of lives, properties and damage across the area. Tibetans refugees are taking this as an opportunity to pitch in and help in any way they can, seeing it as a way of returning the support that Indians have given Tibetans over the years.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Kerala Chief Minister and made a donation towards relief and rescue efforts in the state. “I am writing to express my sadness at the loss of life and devastation of property as well as the hardship caused to so many people due to unprecedented flooding in parts of your state,” he wrote. His Holiness offered his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones.

The largest Tibetan settlement is in Bylakuppe in Karnataka. Neighbouring Kodagu, Suntikoppa, Koppa and Madikeri were severely hit by continuous heavy rainfall causing great suffering there. Tibetan monks and lay people pitched in here and in Kerala, providing a collection, transport and distribution service as needed. Tibetan representatives in Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration, have called for donations and collection of items needed by the flood victims.