WASHINGTON, D.C. — The City of Kerrville, Texas, has honored Sewa International and partner Indian American organizations for their leadership and service during the July 4 flash floods that devastated the city, recognizing their role in emergency response and long-term recovery efforts.
The recognition was presented on December 9 by Kerrville city officials, the Kerr Economic Development Corporation, and the Kerr Together Long-Term Recovery Group, who credited Sewa International with helping stabilize operations during one of the city’s most challenging crises this year.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring praised the organization’s work, saying, “This wasn’t just emergency response — it was a ministry. Helping others is how we serve God, and Sewa International embodied that spirit every single day. Their volunteers brought hope, structure, and humanity when our community needed it most.”
City officials recalled the strong presence of Sewa volunteers at emergency sites, particularly at Tivy Antler Stadium, where hundreds of volunteers coordinated logistics, managed traffic, and organized community members. “It was impossible to miss the sea of yellow T-shirts,” one official said.
“At a moment when we were overwhelmed and unsure how to manage the sheer scale of operations, Sewa stepped in and brought order, compassion, and unwavering commitment. That made all the difference,” the official added.
Sewa International’s partner organization, the Indo-American Charity Foundation, also contributed $50,000 toward flood recovery efforts. Representatives of IACF said their guiding principle was simple: “We live here, we give here.”
Emphasizing the collaborative nature of the response, IACF President Pankaj Rana said, “The strength of our response came from unity. Partnering with Sewa International allowed us to break silos, combine resources, and make a meaningful impact quickly.”
City officials, including leaders from the Kerrville Economic Development Corporation, expressed appreciation for Sewa International’s rapid and sustained support, noting that many volunteers traveled from Houston and San Antonio and arrived within hours of the disaster.
Several individuals were recognized for their direct, on-the-ground contributions. City leaders also emphasized that Sewa International USA was among the first organizations to arrive and among the last to leave, continuing to support the community well beyond the initial emergency phase.
Sewa International is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with chapters nationwide, engaged in disaster relief, education, and development initiatives.
Indian American community organizations have increasingly taken on visible roles in disaster response efforts across the United States in recent years, working alongside local authorities during hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies. (Source: IANS)
