Donate to Kashmir

Your Charity Counts with Penny Appeal

Penny Appeal Canada has been active in Kashmir despite difficult circumstances to help people access safe, clean drinking water. At the centre of a looming international conflict, along with geological vulnerabilities, Kashmir is a potential flashpoint for humanitarian relief. Your donation to Kasmir can provide people with access to safe water in a region that is currently being affected by climate concerns and regional tensions, including water disputes.

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Donate to Kashmir

Your Charity Counts with Penny Appeal

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Background on Kashmir

Kashmir is a large region in Northern South Asia, home to the Himalayan Mountain range. Some of the highest mountains in the world are situated here. Kashmir straddles China, Pakistan and India and has been a contentious area since the partition of the South Asian continent in 1947. Both Indian and Pakistani areas of Kashmir are in dispute. Currently, Kashmir is administered by both India and Pakistan.

The region experiences frequent border tensions and conflict between Pakistan and India. Both countries have fought three wars over the area, with additional squirmishes. Cross border tensions have heightened the fears of the international community of a nuclear war breaking out between the two countries. As of late, tensions have heighted once again. In 2019, the two countries were involved in cross border aerial engagements, leading to fears of escalation in hostilities. Cross-fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2020 continued but resulted in a cease-fire that has since held, albeit with extreme fragility.

Kashmir’s Climate Concerns

The Kashmir region is home to 7,000 glaciers. Local residents have relied on regular glacier melt for use in farming. However, due to climate change, these glaciers are quickly melting. The resulting impact on the area has caused concerns about flooding, landslides, and access to water. These events have had a detrimental impact on the land. Erosion has had a particular effect in the area, as it has contributed to damaging farmland and crops. Frequent flooding due to glacier melts has meant a regular loss of crop yield in the past few years. On the other hand, irregular weather patterns have not replenished ice and snow, resulting in reduction of water flow in rivers and other water paths used for crop irrigation. Many farmers have had to convert their cropland into drought resistant orchards in order to sustain their livelihoods.

Water Security in Kashmir

Kashmir’s water security concerns straddle political tensions between India and Pakistan, and climate change. Both countries have engaged in ‘water politics’ for quite some time. The sharing of water resources has been a point of contention for India and Pakistan to the extent where rivers flowing into Pakistan from India have been reduced over time, leaving Pakistan vulnerable to extreme water insecurity. Reduced snowfall, flooding due to rapid glacier melt, and regional drought, have all contributed to Kashmir’s access to water. Massive flooding in recent years has damaged or destroyed vital water infrastructure used by both rural and urban population centres. In rural areas, the lack of water has contributed to crop failures and the loss of livelihoods. In urban centres, availability of clean water has increased cases of waterborne disease as contamination of water sources increases.

Your Donations to Kashmir have an Impact

Penny Appeal Canada has taken a keen interest in implementing water security projects in Kashmir. Your Kashmir donations have contributed to many communities regaining access to safe, clean water for drinking and hygiene.

Deep Tube Wells

Penny Appeal has worked to dig and construct a number of deep tube wells through our Thirst Relief Program in various parts of Kashmir that have been affected by natural disasters and climate change. Depending on the geography and testing, these wells are dug between 80-120 feet deep, accessing groundwater fit for human and animal consumption. These wells are fitted with a pump that is easy to use. Caretakers from the community are selected to oversee upkeep, maintenance and operations of these pumps, ensuring that community members have continuous access to clean water. More than 50,000 beneficiaries have been impacted in the region. Your Kashmir donation has contributed to greatly expanding the availability of water in these communities. With your on-going generosity, we hope to expand our beneficiary reach in Kashmir to ensure more people have safe access to clean water in the area.

Kashmir Earthquake Response

In 2019, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of Kashmir. 40 people died and more than 800 people were injured. Damage to homes and infrastructure was extensive and many people were left with nothing. Penny Appeal responded with immediate aid distribution to supply victims with essential needs by distributing tents, tarpaulin sheets, and winter kits consisting of blankets, shawls, sweaters, wool hats, and socks. Over 300 households benefited from this distribution. Your donation to Kashmir came at a time of great need for these people. Your on-going support is vital as we expand our projects in the region.

Kashmir Food Distribution

Through the Feed Our World program, Penny Appeal implemented food distributions in Kashmir during Ramadan to vulnerable families suffering from climate change circumstances and COVID-19 outbreaks. Food packs included flour, basmati rice, various lentils, sugar, tea, and other provisions. Because of COVID-19 concerns, these food packs were also supplemented with Hygiene kits that included face masks and hand sanitizers, as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap for washing and laundry. More than 17,000 meals were distributed in various parts of Kashmir. Your donation to Kashmir will help us implement more food distributions in the future to vulnerable families.