Sikh Organisations, across the world, have a record of stepping up in all crises irrespective of the ethnicity of the people in need. And now, after the Corona Virus pandemic, the situation in Afghanistan is highly alarming and sad. Thousands have fled their motherland and are currently seeking refuge in foreign nations.
In such a time, Hemkunt Foundation, a Sikh Non-Governmental Organization based in Gurgaon, has come forward to provide relief and tents to Afghan nationals who have fled their country to arrive in India following Afghanistan’s takeover by the Taliban.
They are providing food and shelter to the refugees who have legally come to India and need help starting their lives all over again. For the same, they have set up a 24X7 helpline and email so those who require assistance can reach out to them directly.
“The situation in Afghanistan has to be condemned. It’s not something which we could ever think of. As soon as the news broke, we were like, ‘Hume Sewa karni hai’. Then we bought tents and started looking for areas. We saw the pain and we couldn’t stop ourselveves. We had to help them as soon as possible and we want to help people regardless of caste, country, religion, or borders,” said Harteerath Singh to Life Beyond Numbers.
With this, the Foundation has recreated their tent city model at the Singhu border, one of the biggest protest sites of the ongoing farmer’s agitation, in Gurgaon. The facility can accommodate 500 individuals, said Harteerath Singh, community development director at the Hemkunt Foundation.
“In our tent city, we are giving food and accommodation to refugees and Afghans who are here legally only. The women are housed inside a permanent structure, and the men inside waterproof insulated tents. We have coolers, water, food and all kinds of provisions for them to be comfortable,” informed Singh.
By now, hundreds have contacted the foundation and are being looked after. He further stated that all Afghan nationals, irrespective of their religion and caste, are welcome to the camp, but they should have due passports and visas.
Volunteers of the foundation can be seen outside the airports with placards calling for free shelters for these refugees.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and Khalsa Aid International have also started similar initiatives.
Also, read: Afghan Sikh Refugees In India Want To Live With Dignity, Demand Citizenship To Any Country
Hemkunt Foundation has been into many humanitarian works starting from its extensive COVID, and Oxygen Relief drives during the Corona Virus pandemic, which is still active. Initiatives surrounding female menstruation, education, aforestation are other projects that they are conducting simultaneously.
In the past, they took up steps to address the Philippines Volcanic Eruption, Kerala Floods, and much more.
If you wish to donate to their cause, click here.