JSPL Foundation steps in to help J&K Flood Affected
New Delhi, April 08, 2015: JSPL Foundation, which spearheads the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), has joined hands with Habitat for Humanity India (HFHI) to re-build 20 homes for the flood affected people in the Kashmir Valley. HFHI is an international non-government organisation working towards the cause of housing and sanitation in India. As part of the disaster response program, the NGO also works with disaster affected families to reconstruct safe disaster resilient homes.
The initiative — Project Gulzar: Sustainable and Dignified Housing for Flood Affected Families of Kashmir – will support flood victims in the state during a period of one year from 1st April, 2015 to 30th March, 2016 through shelter interventions for flood affected families. JSPL Foundation will fund the cost of the project to the extent of Rs.88 lakhs towards its implementation.
The construction activity for the 20 homes will commence this month and will be completed by December 2015. The homes will be located in Bandipora district and families will be selected from government data.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) singed between JSPL Foundation and HFHI has a provision for the employees of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) to offer voluntary services to aid in the rebuilding work.
Says Ms Shallu Jindal, Co-Chairperson, JSPL Foundation, “The MoU will enable JSPL Foundation lend a helping hand to the flood affected people of Kashmir, enabling them to rebuild their lives. Scores of JSPL employees will enrol for the volunteering work so that together we can help the people in Kashmir regain their lost homes and hearth. At JSPL Foundation, we do believe that businesses cannot be successful when the society around them fails.”
The Kashmir Valley has been in the grip of floods for the last few days due to incessant rains causing the river Jhelum to break its banks. This is the second time in six months that the state has been ravaged by floods. Last year, in September the state had been severely affected by floods leaving nearly 300 people dead.
Says Mr. Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, HFHI, “In the wake of unprecedented floods in Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people have lost their homes and are taking refuge in relief camps. HFHI and JSPL Foundation have joined hands to re-build 20 homes in an effort to provide permanent shelter to affected families. I would like to personally thank Jindal Steel and Power Limited and its employees for their willingness to partner with us in rebuilding the lives and the economy of the families impacted by the disaster.”