NSW Floods: Sikh volunteers travel to Lismore to help flood victims

Members of the Sikh community drove 34 hours from Melbourne to provide essential food, water and assistance to devastated members in the Lismore community.

Members of a Sikh volunteer organisation have driven 34 hours from Melbourne to bring two truckloads of home cooked meals to Lismore flood victims.

Sikh Volunteers Australia secretary Jaswinder Singh said he had found Lismore people to be friendly, strong and resilient since arriving to help those in need.

“We have seen people who have lost everything except the clothes they are in, but their mental health, understanding and strength is amazing,” he said.

Team is serving local residents who are hard struked by floods on the streets of Lismore

Posted by Sikh Volunteers Australia on Wednesday, March 2, 2022

“They are coping so well, even when they don't know where their belongings are.”

He said Lismore residents were “taking an educational and analytical mindset” to the devastating damage.

Mr Singh said his organisation’s charity work was inspired by the Sikh faith.

The Sikh community providing aid to those in dire need at Lismore. Picture: Jaswinder Singh

“When it comes to our own safety, our mindset is that it doesn't matter,” Mr Singh said.

“If something is destined to happen, it will happen.”

Mr Singh said a Sikh philosophy, Vand Chhako, encouraged selflessness.

“What drives our faith is compassion,” he said.

“Our religion has fundamental concerns of sharing what we have with everyone.”

Sikh community members prepare free meals for the wider community in need. Picture: Jaswinder Singh

Sharing meals is a core belief within Vand Chhako.

“We want to share whatever we have with everyone, without discrimination,” he said.

“We are part of the Australian community.”