India earthquake relief continues, contributions exceed expectationsMennonite Central Committee AKRON, Pa. -- Pick-axes swinging, men from the Kutch district in western India's Gujarat State begin work on a new reservoir, part of an earthquake rehabilitation project that pays in food. Villagers in the area, devastated by a severe earthquake in January, have found employment through this and other development projects administered by the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA). Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank contributed 1,000 metric tons of wheat valued at $450,000 Cdn./ $300,000 U.S. for CASA food-for-development projects.  CASA, an Indian relief and development agency, is helping people in seven earthquake-damaged villages with projects such as mending roads and building water reservoirs. They offer work opportunities for both women and men. CASA will also help these communities rebuild homes, schools and health centers. "Reconstruction will likely continue through much of the year," said Ed Martin, MCC's director of Central and Southern Asia programs. Martin visited the Gujarat area in March. "Never in my life have I seen destruction like that," he said, describing villages in ruins where families spent cold winter days huddled inside temporary shelters. In February, CASA supplied 35,000 families in 150 villages with emergency supplies including food, clothing, blankets and kitchen utensils. MCC contributed $45,000 Cdn./ $30,000 U.S. toward the effort. MCC has received more than $640,000 Cdn./$415,000 U.S. for India earthquake relief. "I'm encouraged by the concern and support of our constituency," said Martin. MCC is exploring opportunities for further involvement in earthquake relief, such as funding construction of homes.
For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org |
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