Red Cross sets out huge rehabilitation programme for victims of Gujarat earthquake
10 July 2001

An extensive construction project that includes the building of more than 600 community health centres and several hundred homes, is at the core of a three year rehabilitation programme for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake announced today by the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies.

The project, for which the International Federation has launched an appeal for 60.6 million Swiss Francs, will assist the Gujarat authorities to safeguard the long-term health of more than 500,000 people across the devastated north-west Indian state. It is part of a package of measures the International Federation and the Indian Red Cross will implement across four areas in Gujarat - Kutch, Jamnagar, Surendranagar and Rajkot.

The main focus of the Red Cross Red Crescent rehabilitation programme is the health needs of the region where more than 20,000 people were killed in the earthquake on 26 January and a further 150,000 were injured. A total of 600 Anganwadi centres - community-based government-run child development schemes that treat malnutrition and 26 health centres will be built in a bid to help decrease the overall morbidity and mortality rates of the population. In addition, psychological support will be given to earthquake victims while an existing programme to rehabilitate amputees and other disabled people, will be extended.

In a further effort to improve the long-term health of the earthquake-affected population, a two-year water and sanitation rehabilitation programme has already begun with the completed construction of more than 130 traditional rain-harvesting structures. Gujarat has suffered from drought in three successive years. In recent weeks, the long awaited monsoon has filled these structures and ponds, providing a vital source of water for communities in 400 villages.

Other water and sanitation initiatives include work on the provision of a reliable long-term alternative to a piped network and the improvement of a safe water supply and adequate sewerage facilities for communities and health facilities.

"It's nearly six months since the earthquake and although we have begun work to rehabilitate people lives, there is still so much to do. The devastation here was immense and our response has to reflect that also. Our relief work alone in the aftermath of the disaster helped 300,000 people. The rehabilitation programmes we are beginning will help another 500,000. This is a long-term commitment by the Indian Red Cross and the International Federation," says Dr Vimala Ramalingam, Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross.The Indian Red Cross, with the support of the International Federation, will also help build 400 private homes and repair another 300. Work will begin shortly in the district of Surendranagar and the project will be undertaken with the close collaboration of local communities.

"We want to help as many people as possible to get their lives back on track as quickly as possible. By concentrating on community-based initiatives, we feel we will do this," says Daniel Prewitt, Head of the International Federation's Earthquake Operation.

The International Federation and the Indian Red Cross have been operational on the ground in Gujarat since the first moments of the disaster distributing tents, tarpaulins, blankets and kitchen sets to 300,000 earthquake victims. A largely ECHO-funded field hospital in Bhuj, a primary health clinic in Bhachau and a mobile clinic in Sukhpar have also treated tens of thousands of patients.

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

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel: +41 22 730 4428 / +41 79 217 3357

Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel: +41 22 730 4570 /+41 79 416 3881

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.