After the Earthquake — Gujarat Transitions from Emergency Relief to Long-Term Programs

Written by Leslie VanSant, Officer, International Communication

August 17, 2001 — It was more than two months ago when the last distribution of emergency relief items to earthquake victims in India took place. In Bhuj and the surrounding towns and villages affected by the earthquake, people are continuing to pick up the pieces and start the long road to recovery. While their numbers have decreased in the last few weeks, there are still many non-governmental organizations on the ground in Gujarat helping to determine the path for the State's recovery. The American Red Cross is one of several Red Cross societies working alongside the Indian Red Cross to assist long-term.

On July 31, 2001, the American Red Cross delegation in India established its operations in Delhi, and will be setting up a field office in Gujarat. While the office space still needs renovation to accommodate the team of six delegates and support staff with computers, lights and accessories, head of delegation Glenn Dixon is positive about the way things are coming together. "With two offices in operation, now our delegates will have access to all the amenities of a regular office allowing greater effectiveness in delivering our programs here."

In Delhi, the American Red Cross office is located inside the Indian Red Cross compound. Two large areas are being renovated to house delegates and locally hired support staff. The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the German Red Cross and the Spanish Red Cross also have office space in the same location promoting greater cooperation and coordination.

From the Delhi office, Dixon will manage a team of delegates running both earthquake relief and the India GAP (Global AIDS Prevention) program. Dixon works closely with Indian Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Vimala Ramalingam. Originally from Rome, Georgia, this is Dixon's second American Red Cross mission; his first was a nearly five year assignment as head of delegation in Cambodia.

Finance delegate Janet Wise and Health Coordinator Dr. Kevin Kelly are expected to join Dixon in Delhi by September. Following a detailed health assessment that he conducted in the earthquake zone earlier this summer, Dr. Kelly is returning to India to implement a program that he designed. Other delegate positions soon to be filled include HIV/AIDS, health, water and sanitation and psychosocial.

Mr. S. Ramasundaram will be serving as the India program officer for the GAP program in HIV/AIDS prevention. Made possible by a three-year award from the Centers for Disease Control, the GAP program aims to combat HIV/AIDS through preventive education and the reduction of the stigma surrounding those with the disease. It will also focus on home care for persons living with AIDS (PLWA). With one of the fastest growing rates of HIV/AIDS, few in India are tested and the numbers of infected are feared to be much higher. The GAP program will run concurrently in India, Uganda, Mali and Malawi.

Dixon plans to travel to Gujarat later this month to map out the areas where the American Red Cross will work with the Indian Red Cross in operating long-term recovery and development programs. In addition to providing assistance to communities, the programs will transfer skills and knowledge to local Indian Red Cross staff to ensure sustainability for the future. Gujarat earthquake recovery phase programs will focus on water and sanitation, health (community health education, disaster mental health) and disaster preparedness.

With the generous support from communities across the United States, the American Red Cross will be partnering with the Indian Red Cross until at least 2004, helping the victims of the earthquake, and also lending support to the Indian Red Cross as they further develop and strengthen their own capacity and programs for responding to future disasters.