A Dubai musician is appealing to UAE residents to donate food, clothes and money to the people of Jammu and Kashmir affected by one of the worst floods in years.
Singer and guitarist Glenn Perry is hoping to raise as much through his one-week Kashmir flood aid drive that begins on Friday.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been stranded and forced to flee their homes in India and Pakistan and more than 450 are estimated to have died in the cross-border disaster.
“This is the biggest disaster in decades,” said Mr Perry, founder of the Dubai Music School in Karama. “So many people have lost their lives and so many others have lost their homes.
I know how terrible the devastation can be. I was in Uttarakhand last year when the landslides and floods caused so much destruction.”
Mr Perry is asking residents to come forward and donate canned food, milk, rice, biscuits and clothes for the flood victims.
“These are a lot of poor people who have been affected. the UAE is a wealthy nation and people have shown perviously their willingness to donate. I hope that they will come forward and help for this much needed cause. If people are generous enough to give cash, that would be amazing as well,” said the Portuguese singer, who has previously helped raise money for disasters in other parts of the world.
Last year, after the Super Typhoon Haiyan struck Philippines, Mr Perry performed non-stop for 25 hours without food, water or sleep. The singathon in Dubai raised Dh10,000. He hoped to sing again for the Kashmiris.
“I am in the midst of planning a concert. The dates aren’t finalised yet. In my own little way I want to help the Kashmir flood victims and make a difference to communities impacted by the floods, so they can build back their lives with strength and resilience,” he said.
Anger has been mounting in the Indian-administered Kashmir over the slow pace of rescue operations. Many parts of the main city Srinagar has still been inaccessible, days after the torrential rains flooded the region.
Donations can be dropped off at the Dubai Music School in Karama between 11 am and 8 pm until next Friday. Mr Perry said all the aid will be delivered to the flood victims in Indian Kashmir through the Srinagar Welfare Organisation.
For further details, contact glennperry@live.com 043964834
pkannan@thenational.ae
