NDTV's blanket drive for Muzaffarnagar riot victims

NDTV, in collaboration with the Uday Foundation in Delhi, initiated a drive to provide blankets to Muzaffarnagar riot victims living in relief camps this winter.

Just as the weather has taken a turn for the worse, we are happy to be able to inform our surfers, that after all your generous help, we collected and distributed over a 1000 blankets for the riot-affected refugees in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

The campaign was met with an overwhelming response. Over a thousand blankets and 2000 warm clothes were collected in just two days.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

The relief material has been distributed in three villages in Shamli district which have relief camps sheltering almost 700 families.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

Dr Jitender Mahajan of the Uday Foundation says “We do such drives every winter but stay limited to Delhi, Lucknow and Kupwara. This year we thought of reaching out to these people. We have also distributed feeding bottles and utensils.”

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

“We needed this since the government has not helped us out yet. Thanks to you all, we have some hope to survive,” said Khalil Chauhan, village chief, Khurgana.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

The initiative was set in motion after shocking reports of children dying in tents in relief camps.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

Unofficial reports say around 50 children have died so far.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

There are 12 camps in Shamli district housing 16,000 people and one in Muzaffarnagar which has at least 3000 people.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

After the Supreme Court order last Friday calling for government action within 24 hours, district authorities have finally reacted. Administration has now decided to distribute milk for infants daily, distribute firewood and food supplies and set up medical centers which operate daily.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav says “A committee has been constituted to assess the needs. Good arrangements have been made in these camps… We have managed to get woollens and blankets. It may be a different thing that people in the media are not showing the effort.”

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

But the government's relief efforts are yet to reach relief shelters. The blankets NDTV distributed were the only aid many had received.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here

Hopefully the blankets will bring some warmth and cheer to people here in those cold winter nights.

Join the blanket collection drive. For details, click here