A charity established in South East Cornwall only in September is providing a vital humanitarian link with victims of the devastating undersea earthquake which shook 11 countries around the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day. Harvest India (UK), chaired by Liskeard maritime publisher Mike Critchley, is the English arm of the international charity Harvest India, which has been operating in that country for 30 years to provide the poor with shelter, water, food, and medical supplies. Now though, all its actions are focused on South East India, where many thousands have been killed by massive seismic waves, and the threat of disease grows by the hour. The Cornish charity received an email from Harvest India this week which set out details of the disaster, and concluded: 'Tens of thousands of people are homeless with a lack of shelter, food and medical supplies. 'These figures are increasing hourly. 'It is critical to get emergency relief aid to the devastated areas to prevent the epidemic spread of diseases like cholera, malaria and hepatitis. 'Harvest India is making efforts to provide the most vulnerable surviving victims (children and the elderly) with shelter, food and medical supplies with your contributions.' Mr Critchley said: 'We have already set up a bank account in Plymouth through which funds paid into it become available in India the next day. 'That was before the disaster, and I know I do not have to emphasise to local people how desperate the situation is now.' One of the trustees of Harvest India (UK) is Christine Tipper of Dobwalls, who recently returned from a visit to India where she helped with the work of the charity. Among other things, it runs a network of orphanages and shelters for old people. Said Ms Tipper: 'The fear now is that they will be overwhelmed by the number of children and the elderly needing help. 'We must do all we can for them.' Vital Details of how financial help can be given to Harvest India (UK) can be found in our panel alongside. The charity is already famous for providing bore-wells at a cost of £480 each which provide vital clean water for millions of Indians. Meanwhile the tragedy caused by the powerful waves that took the lives of tens-of-thousands has been made only too real to the people of Cornwall. Sharon Howard (37) from St Ives was on holiday in Thailand with her sons Taylor (6) and Mason (8) and boyfriend David Page (44) when a wall of water came surging in. Taylor has since been confirmed dead, while his brother and Mr Page are missing. Miss Howard is being treated for head injuries in a Bangkok hospital.

What you can do

Those wishing to donate to the South East Cornwall based registered charity Harvest India (UK) to help Indian victims of the earthquake-driven tidal wave can do so through their bank account with HSBC at 4, Old Town Street, Plymouth PL1 1DD. The account number is 32213427 and the sort code is 40.36.22. The charity can be contacted on 01579 320804, or by writing to Harvest India (UK) Oaktrees, Morval, Looe PL13 1PR. For those wishing to donate via the national Disasters Emergency Committee, this can be done by calling 0870 6060 900, online at http://www.dec.org.uk">www.dec.org.uk, or by post to DEC tsunami earthquake appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA with cheques payable to DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal. Donations can also be made through hIgh street banks, or Post Office Freepay 1325.