Federation Secretary General meets with President of India
05 February 2001

The President of India, Mr. VN Narayanan, today met with the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Mr. Didier Cherpitel, and the Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross Society, Dr. Vimala Ramalingam, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Presidential Palace in Delhi.

The President received an in-depth briefing on the Red Cross operation on behalf of victims of the earthquake which struck Gujarat on January 26. The Red Cross airlift which got underway on Tuesday last has delivered over 700 tonnes of relief supplies including a field hospital and water purification equipment.

At the main Red Cross operational centre in Bhuj, logisticians are managing a relief pipeline which includes 250,000 blankets, clothing for 300,000 people, 50,000 tents and 60,000 tarpaulins.

Mr. Cherpitel emphasised the importance of the Indian Red Cross role as the operational partner for the Federation. "There has been a great response to the needs by Red Cross volunteers from all over the country. We would like to see greater recognition by the Government of the role that the Indian Red Cross can play in disaster preparedness throughout the country."

"In addition, the Indian Red Cross is focusing on tracing by establishing a special unit to assist in reunification of families separated by this terrrible tragedy," says Dr. Ramalingam.

President Narayanan was told that an in-depth assessment is now taking place of what would be required in the long-term rehabilitation phase.

Mr. Cherpitel said that the terrible tragedy was also an opportunity to ensure improved disaster response and preparedness in the face of future disasters.

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

Delhi: Patrick Fuller, Regional information delegate,
Tel: +91 11 685 8671/2

Bhuj: Jemini Pandya
Tel: +41 79 308 9811
Sat phone: 873 761242825

Geneva: Christopher Black, Information Officer,
Tel.: +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.