Red Cross aids victims of communial violence in India
6 March 2002

Tens of thousands of people who have sought refuge from communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat, are still in need of help, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The Indian Red Cross, the first and only humanitarian organisation to provide medical and food assistance to victims of the violence that broke out last week, has distributed relief supplies in two refuge shelters in Ahmedabad. Further distributions are taking place today in three other temporary shelters.

Nearly 5,400 people taking refuge in a hall and a school in the northeast of the city, most of whom had received no outside help, were given blankets and basic medical supplies by Indian Red Cross volunteers on March 5. The medical supplies were badly needed due to a high number of burns victims.

"We found the people at the school living in basic conditions and the sanitation situation due to the overcrowding, was worrying. People wanted to find out what happened to their homes but are still frightened of leaving the compound," says Mauricio Castano of the International Federation, who accompanied Indian Red Cross workers.

So far, the Indian Red Cross has identified 11 temporary refuges in the city and is working with local authorities to locate others. Shelters have been set up on an ad hoc basis in schools, shopping centres and open spaces by local communities. The commercial capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad has suffered the worst of the violence.

Meanwhile, assessments in both Ahmedabad and other areas in Gujarat severely affected by disturbances, such as Himmatnagar, 80 kms north of the city, are on-going. Outstanding needs are for medical supplies, food, water and clothes which will be met by the Indian Red Cross. It will also provide medical supplies while the Ahmedabad branch has already sent a team of two doctors and nurses and an ambulance to three sites today. In addition, it will provide the homeless with food baskets containing rice, dhal and milk.

Indian Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working since the beginning of the crisis when 58 people were killed in an attack on a train by providing first aid to those injured, blood supplies to four main hospitals in Ahmedabad and in helping to identify those killed. Red Cross ambulances also helped the authorities to evacuate the injured when clashes first began.

For the past eight days, the Red Cross has been virtually the only organisation to move freely to provide assistance to both Muslim and Hindu communities. "Our work has been possible because people know and understand the Red Cross emblem and realise that we are here to help anyone regardless of their religion. Neutrality and impartiality are core principles for us, enabling the Red Cross to work where others cannot," says S.K. Sharma, Organising Secretary of the Gujarat State Branch.

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

Delhi:
Patrick Fuller, Information Delegate Tel.: + 91 981 0099 794
Pamela Davie, Information Delegate Tel: + 91 982 5316 032

Geneva:
Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel.: + 41 22 730 4570 / + 41 79 217 33 74

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.