International Federation appeals for 25.6 million Swiss francs as Red Cross airlift begins for earthquake survivors
30 January 2001

A massive Red Cross airlift got underway into the earthquake devastated Indian town of Bhuj as the first of seven cargo planes due today, touched down at dawn this morning.

At the same time, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed today for 25.6 million Swiss Francs to support a four-month long relief operation - initially for 300,000 people - in the disaster zone of Gujarat which was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale last Friday morning, claiming well over 20,000 lives and leaving countless thousands injured, homeless and without food.

"We recognise that the needs on the ground are overwhelming but together with the Indian Red Cross and in co-operation with the local authorities we are putting systems in place to deal as effectively as humanly possible with immediate needs. Basically we need to consider all life's necessities such has been the devastation in Bhuj," said the International Federation's Director of Disaster Management, Mr. Jean Ayoub.

The Indian Red Cross with the support of the International Federation, is focussing on mobilising large quantities of tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, blankets and warm clothing; putting in place hospital facilities; mobile clinics; cholera, hygiene and emergency health kits; high-protein biscuits; water and sanitation materials are also priorities.

"The operation is in full swing. We've had three flights in this morning including two Ilyushins full of water equipment from the German Red Cross and a Finnish Red Cross flight carrying a field hospital;" said International Federation delegate, Patrick Fuller, in Bhuj. Four more cargo flights are expected later today organised by the British Red Cross, the Japanese Red Cross and the Norwegian Red Cross.

The Indian Red Cross is distributing blankets, plastic sheeting and tarpaulins to homeless people camped on the outskirts of Bhuj.

A site, the size of several football fields, has been identified one kilometre outside the town, at the Lala College grounds, for the establishment of a Red Cross operational centre which will include a 350-bed field hospital which can cater for up to 500 in-patients and 1,000 out-patients. Warehousing facilities will also be established at the site which is being prepared by an advance teams of Red Cross logisticians.

Medical staff including surgeons started to arrive in Bhuj today. Red Cross teams are continuing to assess additonal needs for mobile health facilities and water supply.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Delhi: Patro Bijoy, information assistant,
Tel: +91 11 685 8671/2
Geneva:
Christopher Black, Information Officer, Tel.: +41 22 730 4377
Carolyn Oxlee, Information Officer Tel.: +41 79 416 3881
Denis McClean, Head of Media Service, Tel: +41 22 730 4428 Tel: +41 79 2173357

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.