Baltimore, March 2, 2001 - With
the assistance of Lutherans in the U.S. and churches around the world,
rations, tarpaulins and lanterns are still being distributed to earthquake
survivors in 129 villages in Gujarat, the Indian state that suffered a
powerful tremor on January 26th. But after more than a month of hard
work, the Indian church aid agency on the scene is calling a halt next
week. Their goal has been to help 34,000 families in the target villages,
Lutheran World Relief Asia Director Daniel Chelliah reports from India.
"After more than a month living in tents, however, the goal
is near and staff need a break," Chelliah said.
CASA, the Indian aid organization involved,
is discussing a variety of rehabilitation projects with local authorities.
These include 2,000 earthquake-resistant homes for people of low
social standing, a public works program based on food-for-work, and assistance
to the many people whose food stocks, water supplies and livelihoods were
already threatened by a long-running drought in the region. CASA
is an LWR partner organization.
LWR financial assistance in this emergency totals $60,000 to date, including special funds given by LCMS World Relief, ELCA World Hunger Appeal and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church.