Two years after the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, 5,000 earthquake resistant homes and over 60 community buildings across 27 villages in Kutch and Patan stand testimony to the success of the largest public-private partnership in response to the disaster.
Tens of thousands of families living
in their new homes, or benefiting from the community buildings such as
schools and health centres, have started life anew. Says Vasuben of Lakhapar
village, "I thought we would never be able to rebuild, yet here we
are living in our new, safe house!"
International relief and development agency, CARE, joined hands with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FICCI, in Rs. 98 Crore project to provide long-term rehabilitation to survivors of the earthquake. The project focuses not only on reconstructing earthquake resistant homes and community buildings such as schools and health centres, but also on helping restore and improve the shattered economy and services such as health and education of the region.
So far, the project has improved the livelihood of poor and marginal farmers through agricultural inputs and training, of landless labourers through training in reconstruction techniques and of artisans through improved production and marketing. The project has also reached women and children in remote villages with essential healthcare services. The project promotes quality education in the region, and has encouraged children, especially girls, to return to school.
The project is currently operational in over 200 villages, bringing together the contribution of over 50 donors - corporates, institutions, foundations, trusts and individuals - from around the world. In the coming months, the project will continue to restore and improve livelihood, health and education services, as well as help people better prepare for future disasters.
For more information, please call Harry Sethi, Director External Relations, CARE on + 91 9811144470 (mobile).
CARE is a united global force for the eradication of poverty and its injustices with projects in 68 countries worldwide. In India, CARE works with the most vulnerable, especially women and children, through projects in health, nutrition and population, social and economic development and emergency response. In 2002, CARE reached over six million people in Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.