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Janpath Citizen's Initiative
Over 200 NGOs of Gujarat have come together under the aegis of Janpath Citizen's Initiative to support voluntary relief efforts in Kutch and other affected districts of Gujarat.
Some of the member NGOs of this network are Janpath (a network of 150 NGOs in Gujarat), Pravah (a network of 40 NGOs working on drinking water issues), Navsarjan (an NGO working with Dalits in 2000 villages of Gujarat), Utthan, Gantar, Janvikas, Naya Marg, Drishti Media Collective, Anandi, and several others.
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An unprecedented disaster
Over 25,000 people have died in Gujarat in what has been termed as the most devastating earthquake in 50 years. The latest media reports speculate that the final figure could be much higher. Over 50,000 are estimated injured and thousands rendered homeless in the quake which had its epicentre in Kutch.
Who we are
Over 200 NGOs of Gujarat have come together under the aegis of Janpath Citizen's Initiative to support voluntary relief efforts in Kutch and other affected districts of Gujarat.
Some of the member NGOs of this network are Janpath (a network of 150 NGOs in Gujarat), Pravah (a network of 40 NGOs working on drinking water issues), Navsarjan (an NGO working with Dalits in 2000 villages of Gujarat), Utthan, Gantar, Janvikas, Naya Marg, Drishti Media Collective, Anandi, and several others.
Already several foreign donors have committed funds to support the relief efforts launched by the Janpath Citizen's Initiative: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has committed Rs.60 lakhs, Teresa De Hommes and Misereor, both German funding agencies, Cordaid, a Dutch support agency, Action Aid and others are committing initial support.
Who we're supporting
In Kutch, we have commenced coordination of relief work with the Kutch Navnirman Abhiyan, which is a network of 14 grassroots NGO's that was founded as a response to the devastating cyclone that hit Kutch in June 1998. The Abhiyan galvanized highly effective disaster relief operations in close collaboration with the district administration, and has subsequently emerged as a joint platform to undertake a range of development initiatives including training of rural youth for social work and policy advocacy on drinking water, primary education, and industrialization. Through its 14 grassroots NGO members, the Abhiyan works in 400 villages of Kutch district.
Among the members of Abhiyan is the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, which is working with rural women's collectives in 150 villages of Kutch on a range of development issues such as health, literacy, handicrafts, savings and credit and watershed management. Just prior to the devastating earthquake of January 26, 2001, the Abhiyan had mounted drought-proofing activities in Kutch district in partnership with the district government with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme.
Other member NGOs of the Abhiyan are the Vivekanand Research and Training Institute, Kutch Ecology Foundation, Shree Sangh, Anarde Foundation, Sahjeevan, Kutch Yuvak Sangh, Bhimani Khadi Mandal, Patidar Yuvak Sangh and others.
Following the devastating earthquake of January 26, 2001, the Abhiyan network has commenced a monumental relief operation in Kutch-probably the greatest-ever trial of their physical, moral and emotional strength.
The Abhiyan's greatest strength lies in their approach to disaster relief works - which is marked by a fundamental belief in self-help, confidence-building and enabling local villagers to meet, organize and carry out their own needs assessment and handing over the relief operations to the hands of the "beneficiaries" with minimum supervision by the Abhiyan network. This approach is in sharp distinction to the largesse approach of a paternalistic "sarkar" which doles out charity to victims who queue up. While the former is an empowering process that builds self-confidence and enables people to take control of their lives, the latter feeds post-disaster depression and has long-term debilitating effects.
The problems that bog the government-led and managed relief operations are well-known - a susceptibility to pressures from vested interests leading to inequitable relief distribution, siphoning off of relief funds due to corruption with their ranks, total lack of involvement of local people and lack of trained personnel to manage relief works. Thus the involvement of NGOs is becoming mandatory in any international aided projects routed through the government to ensure that the aid genuinely reaches the people it was meant for and makes a long-term difference to the quality of their lives.
Operational Strategy
The Janpath Citizen's Initiative has a 24-hour control room functioning for organizing the relief operations from the Janvikas office in Ahmedabad. A field office is being set up at Sami about 160 km from Ahmedabad as a via point for collecting relief supplies. Five main camps are planned in the affected five talukas of Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachau, Rapar and Nakhatrana in Kutch district. These camps will service approximately 2000 persons each. Smaller camps will be set up in other areas. Six camps are being set up in the city of Bhuj itself. Trucks loaded with relief supplies have begun leaving for Kutch and other affected areas from the control room in Ahmedabad.
Needs Assessment
Presently, the Abhiyan has requested that no further volunteers be sent to Kutch, as this is compounding the sanitation problem there, and the risk of epidemic outbreak is high. Instead, they are requesting blankets (in lakhs), rice, atta and pulses, face masks (to protect relief workers) and tarpaulin sheets (for basic shelter) - for now. As soon as we manage 24-hour continuous communication with the Abhiyan, this list of requirements will be updated on a daily basis.
The rough budget for relief operations that we are working with is as follows:
Relief cost per family:
| 1. Ration for two months for a family of five: |
Rs. 600. |
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| 2. Temporary accommodation with blankets |
Rs. 2000 |
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| 3. Essential item support. (kitchen- wear etc.): |
Rs. 150 |
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| Total |
Rs. 2750 |
US $ 60 (Approximately) |
Relief cost per village
| 100 families on average per village (relief cost): |
Rs. 2,75,000 |
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| Common facilities ; water tanks. |
Rs. 5,000 |
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| Common village service for a pool of 20 villages |
Rs. 2,500 |
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| Support to volunteers: Travel, infrastructural facility |
Rs. 1,000 |
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| Administration: Transport etc. @ 5 % |
Rs. 14,000 |
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| Total |
Rs. 2,97,500 |
US$6,468
(Approximately) |
Overall Relief Cost for a 2 month period:
Approximate relief cost for 650 affected villages of Kutch district for a 2 month period is Rs.2,97,500 x 650 = Rs.19,33,75,000 approximately 20 crores.
Appeal for aid
We appeal to one and all to aid our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Those wishing to do so in kind may contact the address & numbers given below. Those interested in making cash donations can route these as follows:
Currency Donations (Indian and Foreign):
* Indian Currency Demand drafts/cheques should be made in the name of
- "Janvikas" (EQ) a/c No. 2101016292 payable at Ahmedabad (add Swift Code no. GTBKINB021) Global Trust Bank Limited, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad- 380015- Branch Code no. 2101 which has the 80(G) income tax exemption no. HQ.III/33(151) / 98-99.
Or
- " Janpath" (Citizens Initiative) A/c no. 3008, Bank of India, payable at Ahmedabad.
* Foreign Currency demand drafts in the name of
-"Janvikas" account no: 9687 (add SWIFT Code No: BKIDINBBAAMB), payable at Ahmedabad, Bank of India, Panchvati Branch, Ahmedabad, INDIA 380006,
Or
-""Janpath" Account 04041221 (add Swift Code no. BKDNINBBAXXX ) payable at Ahmedabad, Dena Bank, Ambavadi branch, Ahmedabad account.
Contact address & phone numbers:
Janpath Citizen's Initiative, c/o Janvikas, C-105-106, Royal Chinmay Apartments, Near Simandhar Towers, Judges Bungalows Road, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad, INDIA - 380015.
Tel: 91-79-6857745, 6856685 Fax: 91-79-6857443 (for any other inquiries).
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