Asian Nations Helping Katrina Victims

September 18, 2005

Some 50,000 Vietnamese Americans may have been hit by Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Vietnamese government has pledged aid for Vietnamese hurricane victims, most of whom appear to have evacuated ahead of the storm and many of whom are being housed in Catholic churches and Vietnamese malls in Houston.

Pakistan is sending doctors and medics, using Pakistani American community orgs to coordinate with the Red Cross. 2700 Pakistani Americans were affected by Katrina. Link.

The Philippines is sending a 25-member medical team and President Arroyo appealed to her constituency for donations. Efforts coordinated through the Filipino embassy will include a contingent from the National Federation of Filipino-American doctors.

About 2500 Koreans lost their homes in New Orleans and will be assisted and taken in by Korean Americans into churches and homes around the country, rather than being sent to refugee centers. The churches have also coordinated setting up a headquarters for a government team from South Korea sent to assist with Katrina relief.

The government of India will donate $5 million and medical support. Through the The U.S.-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) India is encouraging Indian Americans to donate and give help and support to Katrina victims. Help is being coordinated through the government and NGOs like the Red Cross by USINPAC and the congressional India Caucus.

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