News Release: American Red Cross Mental Health Support Reaches India Earthquake Survivors

Washington, D.C., March 15, 2001 — Communities scattered throughout the state of Gujarat in western India are slowly recovering from the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 20,000 people, injured more than 160,000 and left 600,000 homeless. For thousands, recovery means coping with the intense emotional grief caused by losing a spouse, a child, multiple family members or learning to live with amputated limbs or a spinal cord injury. Survivors throughout the state of Gujarat are now faced with emotionally painful circumstances, while rebuilding their homes and trying to establish a sense of normalcy within their families and their communities. To help earthquake victims cope with devastating conditions, the American Red Cross is creating a network of mental health workers in India by training crisis counselors who in turn will train other Indian Red Cross volunteers.

"Disasters with little or no warning, such as earthquakes, have a much higher psychological impact than slower occurring disasters. In seconds, earthquakes cause complete destruction that change lives leaving no time for good-byes. While providing food, water, shelter and medical attention are priorities, creating a network of trained mental health workers in India to help victims cope with sudden, sever changes is instrumental in long-term recover," said Gerry Jones, vice president, American Red Cross International Services.

The American and Indian Red Cross psychological network will reach 13,000 people in the next four months with emotional support and crisis counseling. The network will focus on earthquake victims at high risk for long-term psychological effects, such as victims who witnessed the death or serious injury of a family member and victims who suffered serious physical injuries.

While services — electricity, running water and telephones — are slowing restored, Red Cross emergency relief supplies continue to be distributed to earthquake victims. Since the earthquake occurred, the Red Cross has distributed two tons of blankets, tents, tarpaulins, kitchen sets, water buckets, clothing and medical supplies, while Red Cross medical facilities have treated nearly 9,000 people.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. A humanitarian service organization currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the American Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 63,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. The American Red Cross also trains more than 11.7 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provides direct health services to 2.5 million people, provides more than 24 million locally relevant community services, assists international disaster and conflict victims in more than 50 countries, and transmits nearly 1.4 million emergency messages between members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Dr. Bernadine Healy is president and CEO of the American Red Cross.