13 Times When Khalsa Aid Was At The Forefront Of Serving Humanity

Founded in 1999, Khalsa Aid International is a UK-based charity that is continuously engaged in providing support and assistance to victims of natural or man-made crises all around the world. The inspiration of the charity stems from strong belief of the Sikh principle ‘Sarbat da Bhalla’ meaning ‘Well-being for All’. Hence the NGO acts selflessly for all needy people, without any prejudice towards their race, creed, religion or nationality.

Here are 13 instances where the volunteers of Khalsa Aid demonstrated the highest level of selfless service towards humanity:

1. Khalsa Aid in Kerala Floods

In 2018 Kerala saw its worst flood in the last 90 years, which affected more than one million people. Khalsa Aid volunteers set up relief camps across the state. They set up langars (free community kitchens) and fed 15,000 people with hot meals every day. The group also distributed essential day packs, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary towels, medical kits and mosquito nets. The volunteers also assisted in packing and distribution of food packets including rice, dal, tea, salt and sugar. Khalsa Aid volunteers also cleaned churches and temples which were filled with sludge from floodwaters.

2. Khalsa Aid in Indonesia Tsunami

In September 2018, a powerful earthquake of an intensity of 7.8 on the Richter Scale hit Indonesia. It created a huge Tsunami which devastated the areas of Palu and Dongalla. Khalsa Aid International worked closely with the local population and ensured that relief measures reaches the most needy ones. They set up langars in Palu and Dongalla and served food, provided blankets and makeshift shelters to people who were displaced by the Tsunami.

3. Khalsa Aid in Syria War

The southern city of Adana, Turkey saw a huge influx of refugees fleeing from war ravaged Syria. Volunteers of Khalsa Aid assisted these Syrian refugees by providing them free food and shelter along with medical and health services. 200 refugee families were distributed food aid packs 3 kg rice, 3 kg bulgar (cereal food made from wheat), 1 kg white beans, 1 kg red lentils, 1 kg sugar, 2 kg flour, 2 kg pasta and 2 litres cooking oil (monthly food ration for an average family). They built clean water points in a number of Syrian refugee camps and improved the sanitation and hygiene levels there. Khalsa Aid also facilitated praying facilities for the Muslim refugees to practice their faith.

4. Khalsa Aid in Mumbai Rains

Following heavy Monsoon rains in August 2017, Mumbai came to a standstill. Transport systems were unavailable in many parts of the city as trains and buses were not plying. Power in many areas was shut off to prevent electrocution. Many commuters were stranded at railway stations, bus stands and other areas. Khalsa Aid volunteers came to the rescue and distributed food to the stranded people on the road and at railway stations.

5. Khalsa Aid in Nepal Earthquake

In April 2015, Nepal was hit by a strong earthquake, which killed over 8000 people and injured more than 20000. Khalsa Aid was actively involved in coordinating number of relief projects. They set up a kitchen and prepared meals twice a day, serving over 350,000 hot meals over a period of six weeks in Kathmandu. The team also built more than 500 temporary shelters for displaced families and worked with local government to clear rubble. They collaborated with the United Nations in distributing medicines and infant formula to the needy families.

6. Khalsa Aid in Republic of Malawi Floods

Phalombe region of Malawi was hit by floods in February 2015, which uprooted many families and destroyed their homes, forcing them to relocate. An estimated 230,000 people were affected. Due to damaged infrastructure, people there no longer had access to clean drinking water and had to walk for miles to fetch clean water. Khalsa Aid volunteers, along with local communities, contractors and government, mobilized resources to drill water wells and build handpumps across rural Malawi. This made it easy for the local people to fetch water.

7. Khalsa Aid in Yemen Civil War

Civil war in Yemen forced more than 2 million people out of their homes and become Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). Due to blockade in the region, there was extreme shortage of food supplies and people were suffering from malnutrition. Khalsa Aid, along with humanitarian organization Mona Relief, organized food drops in the region which included rice, cooking oil and other cooking materials.

8. Khalsa Aid in Jammu & Kashmir Floods

In September 2014, due to heavy monsoons and flash floods, over 400 people lost their lives and thousands of homes were destroyed. Indian Army was deployed to conduct search and rescue missions. Khalsa Aid, along with the Jammu Kashmir Sikh Professionals (JKSP), responded to the emergency and supported the relief work by initiating two projects. The team actively participated with the local government and rescued over 50 stranded people. It also provided emergency relief packs, containing clean drinking water, food and sanitary items, to over thousand families.

9. Khalsa Aid in Haiti Earthquake

In 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti leaving behind a trail of destruction. Over 220,00 people were killed and 3.5 million were adversely affected. Khalsa Aid partnered with United Haitians in UK (UHUK) to provide humanitarian assistance. It adopted 9 orphanages and have been delivering food and other essential items to them since 2010. Volunteers visit these orphanages every quarter and provide food, clean water and other support.

10. Khalsa Aid in Greece

The Syrian refugee crisis caused the influx of nearly one million refugees passing through Greece, having a wrecking effect on its environment and economy. In 2016, Khalsa Aid along with multiple local organizations launched a major project in Greece over a seven-month period. The relief work included provisioning food, drinking water and clean clothes along with medical assistance. They also provided translation services and worked with local authorities to identify unaccompanied/vulnerable minors.

11. Khalsa Aid in Punjab Floods

In 2007, Punjab faced catastrophic floods which affected over 50,000 people. Many villages were severely hit and more than 11,000 hectares of agricultural land with standing crop suffered severe consequences. Khalsa Aid came to support the people of Punjab in this tragic time and supplied food rations (rice, wheat, lentils, cooking oil etc.) along with blankets and clothing to affected people.

12. Khalsa Aid in Chennai Floods

Chennai was left devastated by floods in 2015. Over 150,000 people were affected by this calamity and were in need of dire help. Khalsa Aid volunteers provided much-needed relief to the needy by distributing fruit, bread, clean water and bedsheets.

13. Khalsa Aid for Rohingya Refugees

When the Rohingya Muslims fearing persecution fled Myanmar and reached Bangladesh border, Khalsa Aid volunteers from India and other parts of the world reached there and provided them with food and water.

Khalsa Aid and its volunteers have been at the forefront of serving humanity regardless of borders. Their work and stories are an inspiration to all and motivate people to contribute in whatever manner they can, towards a human cause anywhere in the world. Khalsa Aid is doing a phenomenal job and we wish them all the best in all their endeavors.