GUJARAT UPDATE - 16 Oct 2001
INDIAN EARTHQUAKE DISASTER –
A SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT FOLLOWING A THIRD VISIT
From Leslie Robertson, 31 The Avenue, Luton, LU4 9AF
Telephone: 01582 617443; Fax:
01582 539892 email: leslie.Robertson@ntlworld.com
THE PRESENT SITUATION
I was again able to visit the badly affected areas of the Morbi sector, and the areas around the epicentre of the earthquake, as well as spending time on this visit with Rotary leaders in Surat. After eight months a number of things are just beginning to happen. Government funding is slowly appearing, both in the form of support (usually 50%) for building projects for schools and housing, and in the first part of the payment of compensation claims, although there are still well documented reports of malpractice on the part of a number of government officials. The clearing of debris from the towns and villages is very slow, and it seems that most sites are only cleared if rebuilding is imminent. Everywhere the streets are reasonably clear, though, and where larger buildings have completely collapsed the rubble has been removed to sites outside the towns. However, terminally damaged buildings are just left to wait their turn for demolition and removal, and it seems that sites where the owners have perished are low on the priority list. The Government seems to be removing the debris only in the cities and towns, and in the villages it can cost as much as 60,000 rupees to clear a site. As the first part of the compensation is normally about 37,000 rupees, and no more is paid until building has reached 8 ft, many people are looking for new sites rather than clearing the original ones. Many bones are still being found, and the final death toll can only be estimated. Clearance of collapsed buildings is also delayed because of the awareness that many may contain vital business documents or family savings – the Kutchis in particular have an inbuilt suspicion of banks. Progress in some areas of high risk has also been held up by a number of factors – delays in compensation, delays in agreement of new building recommendations, and a reluctance to rebuild until absolutely safe among them. There is little sign of major rebuilding in the worst affected areas of Bhuj, Anjar and Bhachau, but a considerable amount of repair work has been, and continues to be, carried out. Schools are for the most part still being held in overcrowded temporary buildings, as are hospitals and government offices where they were destroyed, and although plans for rebuilding are coming to fruition over a wide area, and some work is beginning, this state is likely to continue well into 2002 and beyond. Huge numbers of people, perhaps 3 or 4 million, are still living in flimsy shelters, and are likely to be so for some considerable time, although in general the spirit of the people seems remarkably high.
ROTARY PROGRESS
Rotary’s involvement, from India and the rest of the world, is remarkable, particularly from RIBI. The first houses funded by Rotary (the first to be handed over to beneficiaries anywhere in Gujarat, by any organisation), in the village of Bhaktinagar, were handed over on May 27th as already reported, and on a second visit last week it was found that many of them are already having another room or a buffalo shelter added, with the help of recycled bricks, local labour and a bag or two of cement. The people were very happy and we were made most welcome. These houses have been paid for almost entirely by RC Bhavnagar, RC Luton North and individual supporters.
The second project, 16 similar earthquake resistant houses in Laxminagar a few kilometres away, were handed over on October 7th with even more pomp and ceremony, this time with the principals riding into the village in a canopied and decorated bullock cart! These houses were almost entirely paid for by clubs in District 1260, with one or two from other Districts. Each house has a plaque with the name or names of the clubs involved, and the beneficiaries are already planning simple additions as the average family seems to be between eight and ten people. Around 200 people have so far been rehoused in these two projects.
The next project, funded entirely by clubs in RIBI, has now begun – 42 houses initially, with another 30 to follow, plus a school, a playground, a primary health centre, a bus stand, etc., all on new land, and there are plans to have a refreshment facility on the bus stand and, possibly, a small stall from which local crafts can be purchased. Each house will have an additional living room, and a ‘bathroom’ and WC, compared to those already built, and will house the poorest of the poor from a number of surrounding villages. Arrangements are in hand for water, electricity and telephone to be connected. There was a stone laying ceremony and another ceremony to officially name the new village as ROTARYNAGAR (the “Place of Rotary”) on October 7th , both conducted in accordance with local rituals and beliefs and attended by a number of Rotary leaders from both 3060 and 3050 Districts as well as myself and IPP Bob Shah of Luton North and a 56 seat coach load of Rotarians and families from Bhavnagar. Signs have already been erected on the main Morbi to Maliya highway at kilometre intervals for 4km either side. Completion of the first phase is expected to be February 15th 2002. and a number of prominent Rotarians have expressed their intention to attend at that time.
Plans are in hand for a further settlement of 16 houses in the same area, for which funds are available from the Gujarat Earthquake Rebuild Trust, and groups of similar very poor people are constantly being identified. Every potential recipient is individually assessed. Such is the success so far that additional funding has been attracted from a number of sources in India and other countries, 117 other villages have so far expressed their wish to have houses built and Bhavnagar RC are looking for other clubs to come into partnership to spread the load of local management. The burden on their members, over five hours drive from the sites, is considerable, and they are doing a fantastic job.
In addition, I was able to identify that 81 school rooms are now being built with RIBI funding (sent in February) in District 3060, as well as a number of other projects of housing and the support of orphans, see below. These are all under the control of local Rotary clubs, the money is being effectively targeted and managed, and all of the projects will carry plaques or boards with appropriate acknowledgements. The position in District 3050 is not so clear, as the original RIBI funding has been included in the overall school rebuilding programme which uses both District and Trust funds, without specific accreditation. However, work has begun on a number of the 1300 classrooms to be built in Kutch before June next year, and I was also shown the plans for the use of the 3H Grants and a number of other projects., including an orphanage for over 600 children to be built by another NGO, where Rotary funds will build a school at a later date. I was shown a number of projects in Bhuj, including a number of classrooms at the local Art College housed in geodesic domes, but those involving Rotary funding are outside the city in the villages and small towns. Other Rotary projects in District 3060, in addition to those listed below, include 121 simple village houses in Awas masterminded by Ankleshwar RC, using government, industry and local funding; a small orphanage for 47 boys in Surat being built by the Udhna club (which RIBI funding has already helped) using mainly local fundraising, and a 13 room school in Garyindhar by the Palitana club. A number of clubs have also expressed their intention to participate in a number of projects presently in the planning stage. Rotary is really leading the way in speed, quality and probity.
The situation in respect of Shelter Boxes, Emergency Boxes and Aqua Boxes is less encouraging. The second batch of all of these (100, 100 and 200 respectively) has now been distributed after spending over three months waiting for customs clearance. It is probable that many, perhaps most, will eventually reach the people who are in real need, but local comment is not good. There is considerable criticism that the contents have not been suitable for the lifestyle of the recipients in this part of the world. For example, the tents have been found to be too sophisticated, with instructions only in English and in small print, and too hot when erected. Sleeping bags are not used at all here, where a simple blanket on the ground is the norm, and many have been sold, passed on to others, left unused in the box or simply thrown away. The same applies to much of the clothing. Even when light in weight, the ‘western’ styling is alien to the simple village and tribal people who are the ones in most need. It’s rather disheartening, as so many people have put so much money and effort into the various box projects. The distribution chain has also left something to be desired, with a small club finding itself rather overwhelmed with the logistics of finding the needy at a considerable distance and handing over most of the boxes to a Mission, thereby losing much of the local knowledge of the Rotary clubs closer to the problem areas.
OTHER WAYS OF HELPING
I am still compiling a list of projects for distribution. Many suggestions have been made, but hard facts and costings are more difficult to get. However, the following are some of the ideas, and I will be happy to liaise with any club which would like to help:
· Water purifying equipment for schools (10 each in Anjar and Bhuj)
· Science and Domestic Science equipment for a 2000 girls high school (Bhuj)
· There are many widows and orphans needing sponsorship and support, from £90 to £300 p.a.
· Basic medical equipment is needed in many places
· RC Surat Riverside are trying to renovate and re-equip the small operating facility at a local Leprosy Hospital. I have a list of needs if anyone has access to ‘pre-enjoyed’ equipment
These are just a few ideas, and I would appreciate contact with any club which has a desire to help.
CONCLUSION
There is still a vast amount to be done, and Rotary cannot, and does not need to, do it all. However, at the moment we are showing the way forward to many other NGOs, and there is a real sense of energy and determination in a small number of enterprising clubs that they can really “make a difference”, and that now that many of the plans are emerging from the depths of the government machine and quite a number of projects are starting, there is an additional impetus and enthusiasm. Even a few of the moribund clubs are looking round and wondering what is happening. The next few months are likely to be critical, as more and more projects come on line, and it will be interesting to see the changes made by February. I would again express my enormous gratitude to the Rotarians of Bhavnagar , not only for hosting me and helping me in every way possible, but also for the tremendous work they are doing. My thanks also go to members of Bhuj RC for their help, and to many Rotarians from a number of clubs in Surat for hosting and guidance.
Leslie Robertson, RC Luton North, District 1260 16.10.2001
Status of RIBI Funding in District 3060, as of Friday October 10th. 2001