January 29, 2001

ACT Alliance Pledges More Than $2 million for Earthquake Victims

ACT International

More Information How You Can Help

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"I could not believe my eyes, Bhuj and many villages around it are completely flattened," reports Mr. Bhattacharya, a relief worker with Action for Churches Together (ACT) from close to the epicenter of the earthquake which struck the Indian state of Gujarat last Friday.

"Among the most immediate needs for the survivors, are drinking water and shelter," explains Mr. Bhattacharya, "Many wells have simply collapsed, in others sweet water has turned salty because of shifts in the water levels during the earthquake."

"People sleep out in the open either because their homes are destroyed or because they fear the continuing aftershocks. This combined with night temperatures well below 10 C means, that we need to rush in shelter materials and blankets for hundred of thousands of people," Mr. Bhattacharya continues.

ACT members in India are rushing in relief teams and supplies to Gujarat. More than six teams are already working in different parts of the state including the major population centers of Ahmedabad and Bhuj. In the coming days it is their priority to reach out to remote communities so far not reached by the relief efforts.

ACT member CASA is serving warm meals and distributing water in some parts of Ahmedabad. A medical team has arrived and will join relief efforts. There are several bore hole drilling teams on stand by for restoring crucial water supplies once roads opens and areas become accessible.

How to Help

UMCOR is responding to the earthquake in India and Pakistan through its ecumenical partners ACT and CASA. Please give to Advance #274305-0 and designate "South Asia Earthquake" on the memo line of your check. Give through your local United Methodist church or mail contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call (800) 554-8583 to make a credit card donation. One hundred percent of your gift goes to relief efforts in Indian and Pakistan. United Methodists' generous giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing, part of their ongoing contribution to mission around the world, supplements the cost of Advance gifts.

More Information:

On this site:
• South Asia Earthquake
  News About UMCOR's response and links to news, maps, and background on other web sites.
• UMCOR Assists with India Earthquake, UMNS, January 29, 2001
  Arrangements are being made to deliver supplies of dry food, blankets, water, utensils and shelter to help more than 35,000 people.
• UMCOR Hotline, January 26, 2001
  UMCOR's initial response to the earthquake in India.
  See also:
• El Salvador Earthquake: UMCOR's Response
  UMCOR is responding to the earthquake in El Salvador through the Methodist Church in El Salvador, the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, and ACT.

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