Congresswoman Capps Confers with Direct Relief President Tighe on India Earthquake

Direct Relief International
Friday, 26 January 2001

SANTA BARBARA, CA, JANUARY 26, 2001 — Congresswoman Lois Capps met today with Direct Relief International President and CEO Thomas Tighe to discuss the Santa Barbara-based aid organization's plans for shipments of medical aid to the Indian state of Gujarat, hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake this morning that killed more than 2,000 people.

Tighe informed Capps that Direct Relief is now in contact with its partners of long standing in western India to determine what emergency medical supplies are most needed in response to the quake, the most powerful to hit India in more than half a century. Direct Relief, he said, is expecting to prepare its first shipment of medical aid to the region as early as this weekend.

"Having just returned from India, I understand the level of need there," Capps said. "I am pleased to know that Direct Relief is helping, and I will be happy to support them in any way I can."

"Our profound sympathies are with the Indian people whose lives have been lost or devastated by this tragedy," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "We have friends and partners of long standing in the area most affected by this earthquake, and we are ready to do everything we can to help them recover from this disaster."

The pair also discussed Tighe's plans for future expansion of the scope of Direct Relief's international aid efforts, and its local disaster-preparedness program of building emergency supply containers at Santa Barbara County schools.

Founded in Santa Barbara in 1948, Direct Relief International sends over $50 million a year in medical supplies and equipment to victims of poverty, civil unrest and natural disasters worldwide.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org