Ingersoll Rand, United Way of India and United Way of Mumbai Launch Rehabilitation Program in Karwar District of North Karnataka
Ingersoll Rand and United Way have launched a rehabilitation program in Karwar district of North Karnataka, an initiative designed to construct permanent homes for displaced families. Ingersoll Rand has contributed USD 100,000 toward the rehabilitation program in North Karnataka.
In 2009, the northern districts of Karnataka, India, experienced the heaviest floods in over 100 years, resulting in the death of 229 people and affecting as many as 18 million people in the state. According to reports obtained from government sources, about 655,484 houses were either completely destroyed or partially damaged.
At a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the local Government and Panchayat officials and over 100 people from the local community in Karwar District, Mr. Venkatesh Valluri, Chairman and President, Ingersoll Rand India said, “Ingersoll Rand is dedicated to corporate citizenship and sustainability. In partnership with United Way, we seek to create a positive impact on societies throughout the world. Despite facing a disaster of this magnitude, the people of Karwar have resolved to bounce back with energy and hope. We salute these people and our small token of support from Ingersoll Rand and its employees is to declare and celebrate their victory. While no amount of money can replace the loss of dear ones, we hope our gesture will renew the resolve of these families to build a brighter future for their children and the generations to come.”
“On behalf of the local community, I wish to express my gratitude to Ingersoll Rand India and United Way who have accepted our appeal to build permanent homes for the displaced families. I believe that this collaboration between corporate donors, United Way and the local Government will help us reach our goal to reconstruct 150 permanent homes in Karwar District”, said Rt. Rev. Dr. Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar.
“United Way is proud to partner with Ingersoll Rand for this rehabilitation program to address long-term needs of the communities that were affected by the devastating floods of 2 October 2009. United Way is committed to supporting the rehabilitation efforts in Karwar District by engaging the Government and the local community leaders”, said Neeru Jetley, Executive Director, United Way of India.
Having already managed a similar United Way rehabilitation project post the Tsunami in Tamil Nadu where over USD 4 million has been spent on recovery and rehabilitation programs, Jayanti Shukla, Executive Director, United Way of Mumbai said, “Providing adequate housing for families affected by a disaster becomes a priority and it is important that this basic need is addressed at the earliest. It is commendable that Ingersoll Rand has so willingly and generously come forward to strengthen our hands in this endeavor”.
United Way has selected Habitat for Humanity, a not-for-profit organization that has built over 25,000 houses in the last 25 years in the country, as its partner for this program and is committed to providing permanent homes to over 50 families in the first phase of rehabilitation program in Karwar.
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