German Ambassador Michael Steiner today promised to galvanise funds worth Rs one crore for the flood-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The events in Kashmir are heartbreakig. These are the worst floods since 1904. The situation there is still dififficult and it is not over because the water is receding. In many respects, it will become worse, it wil become cold and there is risk of water-borne diseases," Steiner said.
He was speaking prior to a fund-raising concert "Ehsaas-e-Kashmir" by santoor maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori and his son Abhay Sopori at the lawn of his residence here.
"The purpose of this concert is show our solidarity," he said adding that the money collected will be used for supplying food rations, chlorine tablets, cooking utilites, syringes and warm clothing for the flood victims.
"We have already collected Rs 25 lakh and sent German doctors to hospitals in Baramullah to provide basic healthcare there" Steiner said.
The Ambassodor also flagged off one truck filled with relief materials to the affected area.
"The Danish Ambassador spontaneously started collecting money when he got to hear about this and together we have mobilised Rs 76 lakh. I have set myself a target of Rs 1 crore for Kashmirs. Of course, Kashmir and Kashmiris need much more. It is a devastating situation. It is only a gesture we are talking about but a gesture coming from the heart," he said.
In September last year, the Embassy had organised the Zubin Mehta concert in Kashmir.
Steiner said since that time "my wife and I had a crush on Kashmir and soon after these tragic floods two weeks ago, we decided to do something and the same night Abhay called me ."
The concert is to express the emotional bond and then use it to mobilise some funds," he said.
