U.S. Assistance Continues on Anniversary of Gujarat Earthquake: Contributes $22.8 Million for Relief and Reconstruction

January 26, 2002

NEW DELHI -- On the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that rocked Gujarat on Republic Day last year, the people of the United States extend their sympathies to those victims still struggling to rebuild their lives. The U.S. Government responded quickly to that disaster and has continued to offer assistance to the state of Gujarat for longer-term rehabilitation efforts. Working collaboratively with partners such as FICCI, CARE, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Vision, World Health Organization, and the UN Development Program (UNDP), the total U.S. contribution to relief and reconstruction is more than $22.8 million.

Immediate relief valued at $12.8 million included 1,800 metric tons of food, as well as tents, blankets, plastic sheeting, water containers and purification equipment, generators, and heavy equipment to move debris. Air lifts and on-the-ground assistance were delivered through the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners - reaching more than 500,000 citizens of Gujarat.

Ongoing U.S. Government assistance includes $8.5 million in grants funded under USAID's Gujarat Earthquake Recovery Initiative (GERI) and support from USAID's Financial Institutions Reform and Expansion project (FIRE/D) and the U.S.-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP). Through the grants program, USAID is financing the reconstruction of about 3000 new homes in 16 Kutch villages through the collective efforts of CARE, CRS, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, and their Indian partners. Approximately 300 of these homes have been completed and work is underway on another 600.

Working through CARE, USAID is also supporting the reinstitution of critical health services required in the Kutch's most affected talukas. GERI resources also are being used by UNDP and its local NGO partners to improve the skills of local construction artisans and ensure that even the poorest households have access to the information they need to access government reconstruction programs. FIRE/D and USAEP are providing technical assistance in the areas of information management, damage assessment, rubble removal, structural retrofitting, and reconstruction planning for state officials and local NGOs.

An additional $1.5 million will be used in part to help government officials and NGOs integrate lessons learned from Gujarat's experience into local disaster preparation and mitigation initiatives. The aim is to save lives and reduce the impact of such catastrophes in some of India's most vulnerable states and regions in the future.