|
|
 Nearly two years after an earthquake created rubble out of 300,000 homes in the southwestern Indian State of Gujarat, fewer than half have been rebuilt. The quake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, struck on the morning of January 29, 2001, killing nearly 20,000 people. In 90 seconds, 50 years of development work was crushed.
Within hours of the quake, World Vision staff were on the ground providing emergency relief aid and, later, help in rebuilding. The agency has rebuilt more than 1,200 homes, for a total of 1,400 by September. With Habitat for Humanity, World Vision will build 664 homes in the villages of Khumbariya and Shika. In addition to new homes, families earned income by providing labor.
In all, World Vision has provided $11 million in relief and recovery aid to some 100,000 people affected by the quake.
“The earthquake response helped World Vision build the trust it needs with the community to address other problems by improving water systems and food security,” said Jayanth Vincent, World Vision India communications officer.
Meanwhile, a national earthquake preparedness campaign is kicking off with 600,000 school children in Mumbai, India’s financial center. The class includes a simulator, which gives children a 60-second ride on the equivalent of a quake measuring 6 on the Richter scale. The program is sponsored by Unicef and local groups.
|  |
|
