WSO Calls on Sikh Community to Support Haiti Relief Effort

Ottawa – January 17, 2010:  The World Sikh Organization offers condolences to the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti and their loved ones. WSO encourages the Sikh community to offer its full assistance and support to the relief effort taking place.  The earthquake, which registered 7.0 on the Richter scale, has left Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest nation, in ruins and the dead numbering in the tens of thousands. 

Local Sikh communities and Gurdwaras are organizing fundraising drives and soliciting donations to meet the immediate needs of the survivors and to help in the relief effort.  WSO Canada’s president, Prem Singh Vinning said, “as per the teachings of the Sikh faith, Sikhs have an obligation to help in the humanitarian effort in Haiti.  The Sikh community’s generosity will go a long way in helping the victims of this quake.”

WSO International President, Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal said, “Haiti has suffered greatly over the past several years.  Sikhs must do their part in helping the victims and in rebuilding this shattered nation.”

Several Gurdwaras across Canada are organizing fundraising drives, including Gurdwaras in the Vancouver and Toronto area.  Punjabi media are also organizing telethons including the successful radio telethon in Vancouver by  Radio Sher-e-Punjab 1550AM, Red FM 93.1, and Radio India 1600AM from Thursday and Friday. The Sikh community is once again encouraged to donate generously.

The World Sikh Organization (WSO) is a non-profit international organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.