A VEGAN famine relief charity based in Okehampton has received an urgent plea for help from a Welfare Mission in India. Shortly after the earthquake on Boxing Day, VEGFAM received a call from a Pastor from Maduri, with whom the charity has worked for many years, asking for emergency funds to be sent to help flood victims. Although the full effects of the disaster are not yet known, 5,000 fisherman and 5,000 seashore hut-dwellers were said to be missing, with one million people affected. ?We urgently need funds to send one relief team and two rescue teams of 100 men from Maduri to distribute food packets to as many people as possible,? said VEGFAM secretary, Sandra Ozolins. ?Initially, we have been asked to send £3,000 which will provide food to 3,000 people in this terrible disaster. ?Every donation will help, no matter how small and all monies received will be spent entirely on providing food to those desperate people.? The food packets will contain vegetables, pulses and rice. It is hoped that further monies can be raised to set up longer term vegetable growing projects once the initial situation has stabilised. Donations to help with the emergency feeding can be sent to VEGFAM Earthquake Appeal, c/o The Sanctuary, near Lydford, Okehampton, Devon EX20 4AL (please include an SAE for a receipt) or paid direct into VEGFAM?s project account no: 65023323 00, sort code 08-92-90 held at the Co-op Bank, 242 High Street, Exeter EX4 3QB.