Our response to the Kutch/Gujarat Earthquake Crisis. Did we get it right?

THE FIFTH MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (Term 2000 -2003)
Saturday, 25 May 2002 
Jaffery Islamic Centre, Bayview Toronto, Canada

A case study in responding to emergencies and subsequent developments.

The earthquake that struck parts of Kutch & Gujarat on the morning of 26th January 2001 caused major devastation to our communities in Bhuj, Nagalpur, Kera, Mundra and Mariya. We lost two members of our community and there was destruction to homes, businesses and religious centres.

On receiving the news, the WF Secretariat was in contact with our regional federations and Jamaats and assured full support. Emergency relief reached the affected areas within 24 hours. A Kutch Disaster desk was set up at the WF secretariat in Stanmore to answer queries from relatives and members of our community worldwide. Within weeks, temporary accommodation and income support was available to all families.

In five months, a detailed resettlement master plan was drawn up in collaboration with the local Jamaats and regional federation, and is being implemented. We can report that we are now in the final phase of the implementation of the resettlement plan and are receiving full co-operation from the local Jamaats.

According to a recent report by the UK's Disasters Emergency Committee on the Gujarat earthquake, more than 12 months on, thousands of people in the affected areas are still destitute. This contrasts with our community, which is back on its feet. Did we get it right and what lessons can we learn to fine-tune our approach to such emergencies?

9 May 2002