APARAJITA - VHAI’s Response to Gujarat Earthquake
3rd Update 2nd February 2001
After providing emergency medical help and relief to
villages around Bhuj, VHAI has identified 15 villages for focussed relief work
in the second phase. This includes five villages in Bhuj, four in Bhachau and
five villages in Anjar Talukas respectively. Names and other details about
villages are:
Name of the village Approximate No. Approximate
No.
of deaths of
Households
A. Bhuj Taluka
1. Kanayabe 40 120
2. Dengara 80 150
3. Jawaharnagar 100 200
4. Morsar 80 150
5. Morkhana 70 150
B. Bhachau Taluka
1. Gadermora 120 300
2. Baniari Vant 80 150
3. Naugau 80 150
C. Anjar Taluka Details are being procured and will
be given in the next update.
11 Relief teams are already in position in the
Talukas of Anjar, Bhachau and Bhuj. Four of these teams are from VHAI, two from
Gujarat VHA, one from Rajasthan VHA and four teams are from Khoj projects of
Jodhpur, Bodhgram and Barmer in Rajasthan and one Khoj project in Gwalior.
Each relief team of ten members consists of 1
medical officer, 2 paramedical professionals, 2 social workers, 1, development
expert, 1 local person with thorough knowledge of local logistics and
language and volunteers.
As reported by our teams, villagers are in dire need
of plastic sheets, blankets and other household items. It was decided by VHAI
teams to move ahead with medical and other relief material support in an
organised and well coordinated manner. Relief material collected at VHAI is
arranged and distributed to affected people in survival kits which consist of
A Survival Kit Contains
1. Medicines
2. Dry Rations
3. Plastic sheets for overhead cover
4. Clothing and Blankets
5. Cooking Utensils, Bucket, Mug and Jerry Can
6. Candles and Match Box
7. Basic toiletries (soap, toothbrush, comb etc.)
Three truck loads of fresh consignments of relief
material are on their way to Bhuj and Rajkot.
Support received at VHAI:
It is heartening to report that there is very
appropriate and timely support from local communities, individuals, corporate
houses etc. who are coming up with generous donations for our efforts.
Employees of ESCOTEL, colleagues from VHAI and several State VHAs and
individuals have contributed their one day salary to the cause.
Artists meeting to raise funds
On Thursday, February the 1st, a group of eminent
artists got together a t VHAI to discuss modalities of raising funds. Important
decisions taken in the meetings are:
The fund raising effort should not only involve
visual artists, but also performing artists. For this purpose, a fund raising
event is being planned by VHAI in collaboration with India Habitat Centre.
At the event, works from eminent artists should be
displayed together with organising performances by famous dancers and
musicians.
Funds raised through these events will go to support
the affected village artisans in the disaster affected areas through VHAI.
Keeping the gravity of the situation and the
extensive damage and devastation, we are further upscaling our effort and this
will carry on with great deal of efficiency and sensitivity till the next
Saturday, ie, February the 10th. By that time we will have a clear idea of long
term involvement of our teams. The team at Bhuj has been further strengthened
with experienced teams from Gwalior, Jodhpur and Jaipur joining the existing
VHAI team.
We are in touch with Ministry of Agriculture,
overall in-charge of relief operations. We are providing feedback on the ground
situation and paper clippings services to all key government officials and UN
agencies.
We are also in mainstream TV and media, regularly
sharing our experience, views and recommendations to policy makers and public
at large.
Important information for making financial support
to earthquake victims through VHAI:
VHAI Registration No. 7948, Dated 23rd January 1976
FCRA No. 231650063
Bank details:
1. Foreign Currency Account:
Standard
Chartered - Grindlays Bank, 10,
Parliament Street New Delhi.
A/C No.
23852530
2. Canara Bank, Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi
A/C No.
21537
VHAI is recognized as an institution of national
importance by the Government of India.
Donations to VHAI are exempted from Income Tax under Section 10(23C)iv as
applicable to institutes of importance throughout India and under Section 80-G
of IT Act 1961.
Further, as per Government’s decision, donations to
VHAI for relief and rehabilitation of Gujarat earthquake victims, are 100%
exempted under Section 80-G of Income Tax Act.
Our contact addresses in affected area:
Our Camp Office in Bhuj is located at:
Hotel Prince
Station Road
Bhuj (Kuchch)
Contact Mobile Numbers: 9810282873/9810093774
Direct telephone No. of Aparajita Cell at VHAI, New
Delhi: 011-6856693
We once again express our heartfelt thanks to all of
you on behalf of the people of Gujarat for your concerns and timely support to
this mammoth task of providing relief and rehabilitation to the victims of this
tragedy, which perhaps, is one of the largest disasters in human history.
With best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Alok Mukhopadhyay
Chief
Executive