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UN agencies praise Gujarat for quake relief support

UN agencies praise Gujarat for quake relief support

Author:
Publication: The Navhind Times, Panaji, Goa
Dated: February 10, 2001

The beleaguered Gujarat government has finally something to cheer about with several international agencies praising it for the support they received in alleviating the misery and sufferings of those affected by the January 26 earthquake.

"It is a mammoth task for any government to handle.  But the government has been very cooperative to us," said Mr. Edward Pearn, the head of a United Nations disaster relief team, which is camping in the town of Bhuj, one of the worst earthquake-hit areas of Gujarat.

Ms Dorothy Hector of the world food programme endorses Mr. Pearn's view, saying the assistance they and their counterparts from other international agencies have received from the Indian and Gujarat government officials ever since they landed here is praise-worthy.

Mr. Pearn and his team are coordinating the work of all other UN agencies working in Kutch, Gujarat's worst-affected district, where more than 25,000 have perished.

He feels that given the extent of damage, it will take up to a year to rebuild collapsed-villages and towns. Devastation is widespread and Mr. Pearn refuses to be drawn into the controversy about the number of dead being touted out.  "We will go by the government figure.  But more important than the figure is to reach relief to the survivors," he said.

He, however, added that the immediate challenge is to make available shelter for the tens of thousands of quake victims because there were not enough tents to go around.   Besides, blankets, utensils and other essential articles have to be distributed.   "The victims also have to be provided with means to reorganise their livelihood," he said.

Ms Hector is here with her seven-member team.   She said the WFP is trying to establish an office in Bhuj with 20 staff members to initiate long-term relief measures.   This will include not just WFP relief work but also coordination with the government and UN agencies and the non- government organisations.

The WFP is planning to bring in 8,000 tonnes of food grains over a period of time.  "We will begin with 40 tonnes a day and carry on distributing them for months.   This is the biggest natural disaster I have seen in my life. But the cooperation from the excellent," she said.

Among the UN teams that have descended on Kutch are the United Nations development programme, the United Nations Children's Fund and the International Labour Organisation.
 


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