Red Cross Mobilises Field Hospitals and Shelter For Victims of Indian Earthquake
Delhi/Geneva, 28 January 2001

Local estimates put at 25,000 the number of people buried under the rubble of towns such as Bhuj and Ahmadabad in the Indian State of Gujarat which was struck by an earthquake which measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale early Friday morning.

The numbers injured are estimated at 33,000 in the town of Bhuj alone where 90% of the buildings collapsed and search and rescue efforts have resulted in only small numbers of people being taken out alive while over 2,000 bodies have been recovered.

A massive mobilisation of resources is taking place through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the request of the Indian Red Cross including two field hospitals with 350 beds and medical support teams.

Federation delegate, Patrick Fuller, drove into Bhuj at 2 a.m. this morning. "It was very, very eerie," he said, "like coming into a ghost town. People had lit fires and were huddled around them, out in the streets, frightened to go back into their homes.

"There was an aftershock at 6 a.m. which scared people. People are all confused and in a real state of shock. No one has slept for 48 hours, there's very little food available. Warehouses have been looted and most shops are closed."

Red Cross assessments are getting underway in some of the worst-affected towns within a 100 km radius of Bhuj. An Indian Red Cross team has gone to Bhacau to assess the situation amidst concern that it could be as bad as Bhuj, according to Red Cross officials on the ground. An assessment team will also visit the town of Anjar.

The Indian Red Cross Society has identified the priorities as medical supplies, warm clothing, high-energy biscuits, blankets and temporary shelter as thousands of people sleep out in the streets at night in very cold conditions. The worst-affected areas like Bhuj, a town of 150,000 people, are without electricity and running water.

An International Federation initial appeal for two million Swiss francs will be increased once a more detailed assessment of needs has been carried out.

Indian Red Cross volunteers are active in Bhuj. An initial shipment of 15,000 blankets is being distributed and 150 large tents erected to provide shelter for the homeless and injured. Another 15,000 blankets are en route.

Indian Red Cross blood supplies have also been flown in for hospitals in Bhuj where surgeons reported yesterday that they had carried out 400 amputations. Medical supplies are also being provided to hospitals and clinics in close co-ordination with the Ministry of Health.

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 22 730 4214
Denis McClean, Head of Media Service,
Tel: +41 22 730 4428
Tel: +41 79 2173357

Duty phone +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.