Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an agency affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, has mobilized staff, volunteers and resources to provide humanitarian aid in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. 

Assessment and distribution teams are working in coordination with Government authorities and local relief agencies. FOCUS is supplementing the aid being provided by the Government and other organizations through the distribution of food kits comprising rice, lentils, oil and other nutrients. In addition, non-food items such as blankets, tarpaulins, bed sheets, ground sheets, towels, kitchen utensils and clothing have been distributed to just under 4000 people. FOCUS local operations in India were instrumental in allowing for the immediate delivery of assistance to those affected.

At the request of the Government of Maharashtra (India), FOCUS donated 170 tents, 200 torches, 800 battery cells, 220 blankets and 20,000 litres of drinking water, which was airlifted by the Government, to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The tents have the capacity to shelter approximately 8000 people.

With funds received from the Canadian Government, FOCUS will be procuring and distributing fishing nets and boat repair kits to help restore livelihoods of the people affected by the disaster. The Canadian Government has announced that it will match donations made by individual Canadians to FOCUS.

FOCUS is also acting as a central point to receive donations-in-kind from the general Mumbai population. These items are being packed and sent to the State Relief Commissioner, from where it is dispatched to all areas in India affected by the tsunamis.

An assessment is currently determining the needs of the victims as they relate to emergency relief, health, water and sanitation, shelter and livelihoods. The initial results show that the situation in Andhra Pradesh is improving and that the next phase of assistance should include rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives. The neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu is still in a critical situation and more humanitarian aid is required. FOCUS will continue to work with the Government and other relief agencies to provide the necessary assistance.

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international group of agencies established in Europe, North America and South Asia to complement the provision of emergency relief, principally in the developing world. It helps people in need reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition to sustainable, self-reliant, long-term development.
Focus Humanitarian Assistance is affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions working to improve opportunities and living conditions, for people of all faiths and origins, in specific regions of the developing world. Underlying the establishment of FOCUS by the Ismaili Muslim community is a history of successful initiatives to assist people struck by natural and man-made disasters in South and Central Asia, and Africa.
For more information, please contact the FOCUS office nearest you:

Focus Humanitarian Assistance Canada Suite 786, 789 Don Mills Road Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1T5 Canada Tel: 1-416-423-7988Tel Toll Free in Canada: 1-800-423-7972Fax: 1-416-423-4216e-mail: focuscanada@focushumanitarian.ca

Focus Humanitarian Assistance Europe Foundation205-209 Addiscombe Road Croyden, Surrey CRO 6SP United Kingdom Tel: 44-20-8654-1649 Fax: 44-20-8655-1649 e-mail: focuseurope@focushumanitarian-europe.org

Focus Humanitarian Assistance India4th Floor,Warden Building,340, Sir J. J. Road, Mumbai-400 008,India Tel: +91-22-2300-1726/749 Fax: +91-22-2300-1792e-mail: focusindia@focushumanitarian.org 

Focus Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan Moolji House189/B2 Ibrahim Miller Road (Off Britto Road)Near Masjid e FatimaKarachi-74400 PakistanTel: 92-21-222-219192-21-222-0914Fax: 92-21-222-7967e-mail: Karim.nayani@focushumanitarianpk.org

Focus Humanitarian Assistance USA Suite 303 7777 Leesburg PikeFalls Church, Virginia 22043USATel: 1-703-442-3212Fax: 1-703-442-3522e-mail: focususa@focushumanitarian.org