EMERGENCY supplies of food are being sent to the victims whose lives have been devastated by an Indian cyclone.

Cheshire Freemasons have donated £16,000 to help thousands of people across the state of Odisha who have lost their homes.

A grant of £15,000 is being donated to Plan International UK which is working to help the most vulnerable survivors in 70 communities in the worst hit areas of Odisha’s Puri district.

This money will help to provide dry ration kits of rice and other basic food to 5,000 families, along with household essentials like blankets, mats, mosquito nets, buckets and soap

A further £1,250 is being sent to freemasons in Bengal to support local relief efforts on the ground.

Head of Cheshire freemasons Stephen Blank said: “Cyclone Fani has devastated the lives of many thousands of people across a huge area of Odisha. I’m very pleased that the Masonic Charitable Foundation was able to move so quickly and provide funds for Plan International UK’s vital work at the heart of the disaster zone.”

Around 2,000 households will receive shelter materials such as ropes and tarpaulins so they can begin to repair their homes, while 2,000 children will be provided with notebooks, stationery and other educational materials so they can get back to school as soon as possible.

More than 10 million people have been affected across 11 districts of Odisha by Cyclone Fani, which had recorded winds of 200kph.

It was the strongest cyclone to strike India in 20 years.

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Tanya Barron, chief executive of Plan International UK said: “We’re hugely grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for supporting our disaster response in India. This generous grant will make a big difference to many thousands of people affected by this devastating cyclone and help them get back on their feet.”

The donation has been made by The masonic Charities Foundation, which is funded by donations from across Cheshire.