AmeriCares Response to Devastating Earthquake in India

AmeriCares Foundation
Monday, 12 February 2001

Situation: It is feared that as many as 100,000 people may have died following Friday's quake in India, and thousands of bodies are still buried under collapsed buildings. It is the worst earthquake to hit India in 50 years, and was felt as far away as neighboring Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The quake - measured at 7.9 on the Richter scale by the US Geological Survey - was the region's most intense in half a century, the Indian Meteorological Department said. There have been an estimated 200 aftershocks - including one measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale - since the main earthquake last Friday. Damage is estimated at up to $5.5 billion. Tents and shelter rank among the greatest needs for India's quake-hit region, along with earthmovers and medical assistance, a senior government official said on Tuesday. It was the world's second major quake of the year. On January 13, a quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale killed at least 700 people in El Salvador and made 10 percent of that country's population homeless.

Response: Days after a 7.9 earthquake hit India on January 26, 2000 AmeriCares delivered 75,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies consisting of 1,000 tents, blankets, plastic sheeting, face masks, casting and orthopedic materials, disinfectants, water purification tablets and generators as well as medical supplies and nutritional supplements. The death toll currently stands at 30,000. Damage from the quake which was felt as far away as neighboring Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal is estimated at up to $5.5 billion. A team of medical doctors also accompanied the airlift to help treat the injured. Additional airlifts have been sent to India and many others are scheduled for the near future.

Earthquakes can cause high mortality resulting from trauma, asphyxia, dust inhalation (acute respiratory distress), or exposure to the environment i.e. hypothermia. Surgical needs are important the first weeks. The broad pattern of injury is likely to be a mass of injured with minor cuts and bruises, a smaller group suffering from simple fractures, and a minority with serious multiple fractures or internal injuries and crush syndrome, requiring surgery and other intensive treatment. Indirect damage to health facilities can lead to an interruption in basic health care services.

AmeriCares has been active in India since 1982 and has provided critical relief to victims of floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other humanitarian emergencies, as well as providing on-going medical assistance to numerous hospitals and clinics. AmeriCares has worked with several partners in many regions including the Missionaries of Charity throughout India, the Hemophilia Federation in Delhi, the Bishop of Alleppey in Kerala, the Lions Club in Orissa, and the exiled Tibetan Administration of the Dalai Lama, based in Dharamsala.

For more information, or to contact AmeriCares Foundation, see their website at: www.americares.org