Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 20

In the wake of the Earthquake of 26 January 2001.


Report No 12 – Progress To Date, London 21 March 2001


On his return from the Earthquake affected areas of Kutch and Kathiawad, Muhsin Dharamsi has made recommendations regarding the tasks to be carried out and the method of operation. The recommendations have been approved by the Office Bearers of The World Federation and have also been circulated to Other organisations who attended the Kera meeting of 13th february 2001 for their comments. 


PREAMBLE

For sometime now some donors have bypassed the Jamaats in terms of decisions, accountability and financial management. It is therefore recommended that all work relating to the Earthquake and future works should be as follows:

· For Kutch: through the Jamaats and Kutch Federation 

· For Kathiawad (Mariya etc): through the Council of Gujarat.


RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. UNITY. It is important that the integrity and unity of Kutch be maintained and encouraged. Kutch should not be divided into spheres of influence - a method chosen by the International NGOs. We are one community, we are a small community, our purpose and mission in life is one. Hence there should be one programme with decisions and tasks shared between the Jamaats, Kutch Federation and the Donor Organisations as detailed below. 



2. RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. should be maintained and developed through the individual Jamaats in conjunction with the Kutch Federation. 



3. EARTHQUAKE INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE

3.1 An Earthquake International Task Force, EITF, be formed for consultation and policy decisions. The Committee to comprise of representatives of the Organisations who attended the Kera Meeting of 13 February 2001. These were in alphabetical order: Africa Federation, Al Iman Trust, Council of Gujarat, Kutch Federation, Kutch Jamaats, Mariya Jamaat, Nasimco, Sajjadiyya Trust, World Federation.


3.2 On the ground, Muhsin Dharamsi helped by Vasihasan Dossani of Ahmedabad should oversee the work. They will report to the EITF through the World Federation Secretariat. They will work locally in consultation and co-operation of the Jamaats, Kutch Federation and the Council of Gujarat. 


4. FUND TRANSFERS. The World Federation should send all funds for Kutch direct to the Jamaats. This will also cut out most of the delays and ensuing frustrations being faced by the people and the office bearers of the Jamaats. (See note below for Maria and surrounding areas). To date £42,000 have been sent to Kutch Jamaats.


5. MONTHLY HELP. We should send funds for this one-year programme of Income Support direct to each Jamaat 3 months in advance. The Jamaat should distribute and maintain ONE account of funds received from all agencies. On receipt of accounts, more funds to be sent. There can be no delay in this matter otherwise the grassroots suffer. 


6. TEMPORARY HOUSING. It is not a question of rehousing people from the slums. These are people who had a reasonable standard of living and therefore must be given basic amenities - privacy, own homes with kitchen, bathroom, toilet, running water and electricity. A minimum size and facility has been agreed. Funds have be sent direct to each Jamaat who will be responsible for financial management and accountability.


Temporary houses are required as follows: 16 in Mundra, 16 in Kera, 32 in Nangalpur, 32 in Bhuj. At the end of the day, Mundra and Kera may need a few more each. Also, those who have moved may need to be given these temporary housing instead.

MUNDRA and KERA have land on which to build these temporary houses. Also quite a few families in these two Jamaats have houses whose first floors are dangerous. The upper structures can be taken down, the first floor slab waterproofed temporarily and the ground floor will function as temporary housing until permanent housing stage starts.

BHUJ is looking for land near the Al Mahdi Colony, the land to be used for temporary housing and then later for permanent housing, Mosque, Imambara etc. 

NANGALPUR has started building temporary houses on land near the existing Mosque, which they have cleared of debris and fallen structures.



7. PERMANENT HOUSING. 

For this work, each Jamaat to be fully responsible to administer for its members.

There are several categories in this work. In each case, we need to make sure that the houses being put up by donors or by individuals on loan or repaired by individuals with donation or loan, must be earthquake resistant. 

7.1 Households who want to repair their houses or rebuild them at their own expense, must be encouraged to make sure the houses are earthquake resistant and in safe localities.

7.2 Households who want to repair their houses or rebuild them on their own land with loans, should be given loans through the Bank Scheme being set up. 

7.3 Households who want to repair their houses or rebuild them on their own lands, with donations, should be helped to do so later on when their neighbourhoods are safe from dangerous structures. 

7.4 For households who used to live in rented or communal property we should build houses for them on land owned by the Jamaat. They should live and pay nominal rent which can be used by the Jamaat for maintenance. They should also be encouraged to save and pay the original cost of building over a period of time, so the house can be transferred into their names. Kera and Mundra Jamaats have lands for this project. Bhuj Jamaat is looking for land near Al Mahdi Colony. Nagalpur Jamaat is looking for land in New Anjar.

In this category, we need one room, two room and three room houses. Wherever such houses are built, we must make sure Mosque, Imambara, Madressa are built too, to serve the housing estate. 


8. ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT. Most of the public have asked for loans to help them stand on their own feet again. A system of bank loans should be set up. Any person needing a loan, should get a letter from the Jamaat supported by Kutch Federation, asking the Bank to advance the loan. In this system, the person taking the loan does not need to pay interest, the Bank does all the administration, and the individuals can advance economically. 


MARIYA MIYANA

The Council of Gujarat has a vast experience in the fields of relief, housing and economic upliftment. It was therefore recommended that the affected families of Mariya and other villages in Kathiawad be looked after by the Council of Gujarat. 

So far all the families have been accommodated in other towns either in rented properties or with relatives. Income Support is being given to them monthly via the Council of Gujarat. £ 14,000 have so far been to them.

The majority want to settle permanently in Chotila and Morbi, towns within a few hours drive of Mariya. A suitable land has been bought in Chotila for houses, Mosque and Imambara. A land is being looked for in Morbi. £16,000 has so far been sent towards the purchase of the land.

The families have also asked for loans to help them restart their businesses in new locations. A system is being set up with the Council of Gujarat so that interest free loans can be advanced to these families through a Bank. Several of the families have asked for loans to rebuild their own homes at locations and to sizes of their own choice. Such loans can also be advanced through this Bank Loan Scheme.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 19

Daily Report No. 11 - By Muhsin Dharamsi


Mumbai, Tuesday 6 March 2001

Today is the day of Eid - a national holiday in India. Early in the morning Sajjadbhai Varteji of Hussaini Education and Welfare Society took me to Bhavnagar Airport for my flight to Mumbai.

On arrival in Mumbai, I went to meet Mr Sheth of Vakil, Mehta and Sheth, Consulting Engineers. I had met him in Nagalpur. We discussed the requirements for Earthquake Design. Being a large firm, they deal with all sorts of structures. Of particular interest to us is a housing project he is working on with the houses of similar types that our community are thinking of.

After a 3 hour meeting with him, I went to our Mosque in Dongri for Namaz and went back to the airport. From the airport, I phoned the Presidents of Kutch Jamaats to brief them on my recommendations.

All the Leaders and the Jamaats were extremely co-operative throughout my stay. May Allah reward them all for their dedication.

My flight will be leaving for London in an hours' time. I have a huge collection of photographs I took of the damage sustained by the properties of our communities. I will Inshallah display these on the web as soon as possible.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 18

Daily Report No. 10 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Bhavnagar, Monday 5 March 2001

We left Kera about 11pm and drove to Ahmedabad where we arrived 6 hours later. Rajabalibhai Gulamhussein (who had several appointments in Ahmedabad on Jamaat matters) was with us. We also hired a driver from Kera to help with the night driving. We stayed with Amiralibhai Dossani, advisor to
Council of Gujarat. I also called on Aunalibhai Salehmohamed, Executive Councillor of The World Federation.

During the 9 days I had spent in the earthquake zone of Kutch and Kathiawad, I had
 
- talked to all the Jamaat elders, leaders of Kutch Federation and Council of Gujarat
- met almost all the affected community members
- inspected most of the houses and businesses damaged

During the trip I had kept on analyzing my finds and trying to formulate an action plan to rejuvenate Kutch. I bounced the ideas off different people during the trip. I finally came up with recommendations, which I have submitted to The World Federation for further action.

In Ahmedabad, I said Goodbye to my companion of the entire trip - Vasi Hassan Dossani. Because of his pleasant character and hard work I was able to accomplish so much during the trip. I am pleased that he left his young family, work, classes and other commitments to accompany me at short
notice. His family bore all the costs of the trip incurred in Kutch and Kathiawad, provided a car and drove me around throughout. His services were particularly invaluable when I got infected by drinking tap water in Anjar. He made sure I had the best treatment and aftercare.

At 8pm, Amiralibhai Dossani and I left for Bhavnagar - on the last leg of this journey. We arrived there 3 hours later and had a meeting with the office bearers of The Council of Gujarat. Their commitment and dedication is commendable. Inspite of it being Eid Raat, they stayed with me till 2am.
I briefed the Council on my findings and recommendations. They agreed that Kutch Jamaats and Kutch Federation be given full responsibility for the rehabilitation work. They pledged their full support and offered to help as and when called upon, as builders and other trades may be in short supply
in Kutch. Fidahussein Sherali Khoja, The President of Bhuj Jamaat was also present.

I am spending the night in the house of Chotubhai Gughariya and hope to leave for Mumbai in the morning. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 17

Daily Report No. 9 - By Muhsin Dharamsi


Kera, Sunday 4 March 2001

We arrived in Kera at about midday. We were met by Rajabalibhai Gulamhussein, the Hon Sec of the Jamaat. In Kera, we visited 50% of the homes of our community members. This was to give me an idea of the extent of damage sustained by the houses. Most houses are the Kutchi type similar to those I had seen in Mundra and about which I had written in detail in report no 8. 16 are badly damaged and need to be replaced. The rest have sustained cracks. These cracks can be repaired as a temporary measure. But the houses will not survive earthquakes and so we should have a medium term plan to replace all of them, so our people can live in safety and comfort.

I met each and every family in Kera and was able to complete the survey sheets. Kera was the last town where I had to carry out the survey. Thus we now have a full survey of all families in Kutch as at March 2001.

The Jamaat has got a beautiful piece of land next to the Mosque, where they are planning to put up temporary houses for those who need to be vacated from their homes. At present most people spend the day at work or in their homes, but at night they come to sleep in tents erected in the grounds
near the mosque. This is for safety as the area still experiences aftershocks.

The Mosque has sustained structural damage which is repairable. The new Imambara is under construction and did not sustain any damage. Other buildings in the Mosque compound are damaged, some repairable, some beyond repair.

We plan to leave for Ahmedabad at about 10pm.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 16

Daily Report No. 8 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Mundra Sunday 4 March 2001


On Saturday morning I left Kera for Mundra. There I was met by Akberali Mawjee. He is the Hon Sec of Mundra Jamaat and the Chairman of Kutch Federation. We visited each and every household in Mundra. Helped by Vasi Hassan Dosani, we completed the survey of all the families. I also inspected the houses to assess the earthquake damage.

Most houses are Kutchi courtyard type. You enter the courtyard where there is an enclosed veranda. Generally two rooms are at the back of the veranda. There may be rooms on the first floor too. Outside in the courtyard or off the veranda are the kitchen, bathroom and toilet. The houses are made of stone or mud, bedded in mud and plastered. Massive tree trunks support the roof which is made of branches of trees supporting Kutchi roof tiles. Most of these house are damaged. 16 are badly damaged and the families have to be rehoused temporarily. The Jamaat has already obtained land for this. The houses that are cracked - minor or major cracks are capable of being repaired temporarily. I do not however recommend this solution. The cracks need to be repaired temporarily as the rainy season is only two months away. There has to be a programme of replacing all such temporarily repaired houses over the next few years, so that the whole of our community is rehoused in comparatively safe buildings.

Those houses which have first floor construction, the upper floor needs to be demolished and first floor slab made temporarily water proof until such time as the house is replaced. The community is very keen to repair and continue with their lives. 

The Mosque is under process of demolition. The madressa building was being used as temporary place for Namaz and Majlis. Unforunately the first floor of this building has been damaged and the building is in a dangerous situation. All structure above the first floor needs to be taken down as a matter of urgency. The Boys hostel building is also badly damaged beyond repair.

Kapaya is a village a few kilometeres from Mundra on the road to Kera. It has a lovely Mosque, Imambara and Madressa. A few years ago 25 families used to live here. Now there is only one family of three hoseholds. 

At midaday we will Inshallah have completed the full survey and will be on our way to Kera.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 15

Daily Report No. 7 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Kera, Friday 2 March 2001


The demonstration houses put up by Abhiyan I mentioned in report no 6 were very impressive. All were low cost, many were using debris from collapsed buildings. I felt that one of them of blockwork construction with 6mm reinforcement bars in the plaster at 3 feet centres in both directions had a great potential for our community. I also have an appointment to meet a consulting Engineer in Mumbai on Tuesday 6 March. I had met him in Nagalpur and he had offered to design earthquake resistant homes, free of charge.

From Bhuj we arrived in Kera at Maghrib on Friday 2 March. Chacha Paryani arrived sometime later and we spent the evening together. I briefed him on the survey I had carried out so far. When the Leaders of World Federation, Africa Federation, Nasimco, Council of Gujarat, Kutch Jamaats, Kutch Federation, Sajjadiyya Trust and Al Iman Foundation had met in Kera two weeks ago, Sajjadiyya Trust had tabled a survey sheet. This sheet was then amended and developed to gather full information of Kutch and the other earthquake affected areas. 

It included: 
-personal details of each Man, Woman and Child; 
-their ages, professions, studies; 
-details of their homes and damage sustained; Any help or loan required to repair or to rebuild.
-details of their work and damage sustained; Any help required to repair or to rebuild.
-debts if any.

So far I have completed the survey of of our community in Mariya Miyana, Nangalpur and Bhuj. I still have to complete Kera and Mundra.

We also agreed that the temporary houses being built for those who are now homeless should be of such caliber as to last 2 to 3 years as the Government guidelines for permanent houses are not out yet. The temporary houses to be self contained for each family and to be of one room with attached bathroom/toilet and kitchen; with electricity and running water.

I am spending the night in the camp in Kera and will be going to Mundra in the morning. The camp is a collection of tents next to our Mosque. Each tent sleeps about 20 people. The people generally stay in their own homes in the day time and come to sleep in the camp at night. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 14

Daily Report No. 6 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Bhuj, Friday 2 March 2001


Today we completed the inspection of the rest of the damaged homes of our community. After that we went round meeting international agencies and government offices to try to find out possible planning actions that may already have been taken.

We visited Abhiyan. This is a Kutch based co-ordination body. It is looking after 20 International NGO's and is also co-ordinating Government requirements. They gave us quiet a few useful documents. They are also putting up sample houses - temporary and permanent in Bhuj. We inspected these houses and we feel that they have quite a bit of potential for out projects. They also run demonstrations and training programmes for the local builders and home owners.

We visited the Chief Collector of Kutch. He told us that we could go ahead with temporary houses near the Al-Mehdi colony. Regarding permanent houses, he informed us that the new government regulations will be out in a week or so. He also informed us that the government has allocated land for temporary houses for all communities in the suburbs of Bhuj. 

We also met the land owner who is able to sell about 1500 sq yds of land to Bhuj Jamaat in the vicinity of Al Mehdi project.

Late afternoon we will be leaving for Kera.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 13

Daily Report No. 5 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Bhuj, Thursday 1 March 



Fifty percent of our Families residing in Bhuj have left town. They are living in other towns with their families mainly in Gujarat. 

Of the remaining some have found temporary accommodation for rent and are living there with their families. 

The rest are still living in the corrugated iron temporary buildings put up with the help of Council of Gujarat. They live communally, eat from a common kitchen and the situation is not generally acceptable. 

The families have decided that they would all like to be moved to temporary accommodation until permanent houses can be provided. They have further decided that they would like to live in the locality of the Al-Mehdi Colony, with their own Mosque, Imamwada and Madressa. It has therefore been decided that the office bearers of the Jamat will look for suitable land to put up Seventy one storey houses and all the required community buildings. The land will fist be used for temporary accommodation while permanent houses are being put up in stages. 

I have visited the houses of all the households of Bhuj. They are mostly a pile of rubble. And those left that seem stable have got major structural defects. Those with their own properties of commercial use have also lost the use of their buildings. 

I inspected the Tauheed Boys Hostel. All the columns at ground floor level have suffered major structural failures. The internal partitions are also badly cracked and some have fallen down. 

I visited the old Imamwada in the city centre. It has collapsed completely. 

I visited the Imamwada Masjid complex. All the buildings have suffered major failures and are un usable. The ground floor structure of the Imambara has failed completely so the first floor of the Imamwada is now sitting on the ground. 

The Mosque is also damaged beyond repair. The Mehrab had collapsed by the Grace of Allah, so that nearly 27 persons were able to save their lives by escaping from their houses through the Mehrab and into the Mosque compound. 

Maulana's Flat has been cut in half. 

The Kitchen block is completely down and the Madressa Building is also badly damaged. 

The Government has decided that for the moment nobody is allowed to live or work in the city centre where our households used to live and our religious centers are located. To discourage usage, they have cut off Water and Electricity. The decision of when and how to rebuild may take a long time. The decision of our community therefore makes a lot of sense to start a new self contained colony in the neighbourhood of the Al-Mehdi Colony. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 12

Daily Report No. 4 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Nagalpur, Tuesday 27 February 



The 31 Families of Nagalpur have decided that they want to stay locally. It is therefore 
important that they be relocated in temporary accommodation until permanent housing can be provided. They have found a land on which temporary accommodation can be constructed, so each family can be independent with their own Room, Kitchen and Toilet. The design life of the temporary houses will be say 3 years. 

Regarding permanent accommodation the government has still not given any directive regarding the rebuilding of Nagalpur or Anjar. New Anjar has not been damaged that much and our families who live there or work there are continuing with their daily lives. 

Most of the households prefer to live in a purpose designed complex in new Anjar complete with Mosque, Imamwada and Madressa. Anjar has a lot of job and commercial opportunities to offer - that is why the Jamat is thinking of moving there. 

Rebuilding on their own lands in Nagalpur is not viable at present as it is not known what the neighbours will do. Their houses are precarious and may fall any time. It is thus important that all the 
people in a neighbourhood have to agree to rebuild. 

This will take quiet a bit of time. 

The Jamat is thinking on the lines mentioned above and I will inshallah visit Nagalpur again on 
Sunday 4 March to see if they have come to any decision. 

I shall be leaving for Bhuj this afternoon Inshallah. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 11

Daily Report No. 3 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Nagalpur, Monday 26 February 


As soon as we arrived in Nagalpur, we inspected the beautifully converted Mosque and Imambara Complex. They were opened in 1996. The Mosque had been renovated by adding a new concrete roof on existing walls. The Imambara was renovated by adding a first floor roof on the existing ground floor walls and also a new first floor Imambara with load bearing walls and a new concrete slab. Unfortunately the construction was not earthquake proof. Hence the buildings are badly damaged. They will need to be demolished. Specially as the Mosque walls have moved quite a bit off the ground floor slab. 

In Nagalpur I visited all the houses of Mumineen. With the exception of one or two which have survived with cracks, the rest are mainly a pile of rouble. In the outlying districts of Nagalpur I also visited all the houses except 3 which I hope to visit on Sunday. 

The Mumineen of Nagalpur are all living in the makeshift tin huts erected with the help of Council of Gujarat. They have also set up a communal kitchen for all meals. They have also set up a tent for Namaz which is used for sleeping at night. I lived and ate with them. Sleeping was as tight as a sardine tin. It is important that temporary solution is set up immediately so they can live in dignity. 

There is water and electricitry. Mumineen use the toilet facilities of surrounding houses. Some already have restarted their businesses and jobs. 

I visited Anjar. The city centre is a pile of rubble. Standing on a high pile, I could see nothing but devastation all around me. 

The human misery of the people affected can not be put into words. It is all around. 

The Mumineen of Nagalpur were very brave. As soon as the first shock had settled, the youth went round to all the houses and collected the families and brought them to the open ground outside the mosque. They then visited the outlying villages and brought every body in too. After that they looked 
for the missing brother and sister. They found the sister with feet crushed under the huge stones of the Mazar that had fallen on to her. She told them that her brother was inside the rubble. She was Zainab Hussein Ladha, 11 years old. She died a few hours later because excessive loss of blood. The 
youths located Abbas (5years old) and dug him out safe and sound. 

After this the youths went round to help people of other communities and finally salvaged all belongings from the houses for safekeeping in the Mosque store room. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 10

Daily Report No. 2 - By Muhsin Dharamsi

Maria Miyana - Naglapur Road, Sunday 25 February 


After praying Zohr and Asar in the Mosque, we all went  to the local cafe for lunch. The mumineen of Maria Miyana are all forced batchelors as the ladies and children have been sent to safety in other towns. 

At 3pm Vasihasan Dosani and I left for Nagalpur in his car - A distance of 2Hours. 

Maria Miyana is a really pathetic place. 90% of the town is down. 100 people have died and of a population of 14000, only 7000 are left. Most of these are living in the open amidst the ruins. Some shops have reopened and there seemed to be a lot of supply of fresh vegetables in the market. Mariya Miyana is 90% Muslim. So the help received is minimal. The population is in a pitiful state. 

I talked to the son of the Thakur - Rulers of the town for about 14 Generations. He felt the town should be rebuilt. His palace was completely destroyed and he feels he would rebuild it much smaller to keep up with the times. 

On the way to Nagalpur we passed Bhachau. It looked totally demolished. There were lots of neat tent camps visible from the highway. We also passed the badly damaged village of Rapar. Along the whole route most houses visible from the road were badly damaged, many were just a pile of rubble. 

Two hours later we passed through Anjar and went on to Nangalpur - 3 kms away. The Hon. Sec. of the Jamat was waiting to receive us outside the Imamwada. 

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 9

Daily Report No. 1 - By Muhsin Dharamsi



Mariya Miyan – Sent Sunday, 25/2/01

I arrived in Bhavnagar from London yesterday morning. I immediately went to the Hospital to visit Zahida Haji, the girl of Nagalpur who was hurt in the earthquake and had to be admitted to Hospital in Bhavnagar. Her right foot has been amputated. She is a cheerful girl and was being discharged from Hospital today.

I then went to see a sample timber frame and clad building for possible use as temporary accommodation to re-house our communities until permanent accommodation can be provided.

Accompanied by Gulubhai Bhurani, President of Council of Gujarat and their other office bearers, we drove for 4 hours to Chotila to meet mumineen of Mariya Miyan who are temporarily accommodated there. I talked to each family and took down details of their losses, aspirations, business requirements etc. 

We then drove another 3 hours to Mariya Miyan to meet the rest of the mumineen there, a total of 28 households, totalling about 140 men, women and children. I visited and inspected each of their houses. All are a total loss. I visited all their shops, most are a total loss. Many of them have re-opened for business in the badly cracked and damaged shops.

The mosque is badly cracked but reparable. The Imambada roof has caved in because the first floor Madressa wall has collapsed through it into the Imambada. The first floor walls and roof of the Madressa are precarious and demolition to first floor slab level started this morning. I spent last night sleeping on the floor with momineen in their corrugated iron temporary shelter put up by the donations of donors. All the ladies and children of the community have been moved to Chotila and other town in Gujarat. Some men have stayed behind to salvage and to do whatever business possible. 

After Namaz and lunch, I left for Nagalpur.

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 8

A delegation of The World Federation, Alhaj Ahmed Hassam, Vice President and Alhaj Ahmed Daya, Treasurer departed from here over the weekend to begin an intensive tour of the afflicted regions.  They will meet all our brethren victims to the massive tremor and discuss with them their needs and requirements for the foreseeable future.

The World Federation delegation will meet all agencies working in India on Wednesday 14th February to discuss matters related to the welfare of our community in Kutch.

Back at home, the Kutch Disaster Desk continues to repond to the needs of mumineen in tracking their relatives and loved ones in different areas of Kutch.  Enquiries handled by Kutch Disaster Desk included those from East Africa, United Kingdom, Dubai, Oman, Pakistan and North America.

On another note, The World Federation and The Council of European Jamaats have jointly met with officials of SEWA International - a Hindu Charity based in Leicester that specializes in working in the region of Gujarat.  The aftermath of the calamity demands that we work together regardless of differences in race or religion. 

Over the next few weeks, both organisations will be working to explore areas of closer collaboration. The intention is to ensure our people are supported and at the earliest a re-building effort is begun.

With Salaams and Duas

SECRETARIAT

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 7

Many families from the three worst hit regions of Bhuj, Nagalpur and Mariya Mian have been relocated to other cities of Gujarat. Those who are still in Kutch are now housed in temporary shelters specially designed and approved by the government of India. Mattresses, Blankets and other essential items continue to be delivered. Over 100 tonnes of rubble has been moved in Mariya Mian to make space for people to recite Namaz.

In the meantime, the Kutch Disaster Desk in the World Federation has been inundated with calls and e-mails from concerned relatives from all over the world. We have now received a full list of all names of our people and the extent of damage they have suffered. Those who have already written to us will be receiving the information very shortly. Any others who are interested in knowing should write to us at secretariat@world-federation.org

With Salaams and Duas

SECRETARIAT

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 6

In a fax letter to the President of the World Federation Al Haj Hasanain Walji, the President of Council of Gujarat, Al Haj Ghulubhai Bhurani had the following to report:

Following news we received from Bhuj of rain and strong winds, we are today leaving for Kutch. The tents we had provided are not strong enough to protect them from the rain and winds. We are thus taking with us building materials including corrugated sheets for roofing, timber, doors, lamps and mattresses to erect around 50 temporary houses in the region.

We have received government approval and allocation of land to do so and based on their approved design, we will be constructing 10 temporary houses in Mariya Mian, 14 in Nagalpur and 24 in Bhuj.

Along with the building materials, we are again taking with us foodstuff, drinking water and medical supplies to be distributed to our brethren as well as everybody else who is afflicted in the region.

We remain in need of your continued prayers.

With Salaams and Duas

Ghulubhai Bhurani - President

The Council of Gujarat

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 5

In a telephone call with Al Haj Gulubhai Bhurani, the Secretary General of the World Federation received the latest report regarding the situation of our brethren in Kutch:

A high powered delegation of the Council of Gujarat, along with a number of volunteers, left Talaja in two cars and two trucks heading for Kutch on Sunday 29th January 2001. We took with us essential supplies including foodstuff packed in convenient packaging and some medicines.

MARIYA MIAN

This was our first stop. What we saw was total destruction all around us and all sixteen families of our community residing in this part of Kutch have lost their homes and shops. We delivered tents, foodstuff, medicines and drinking water enough to last them for two weeks. Three families have been moved to Mahuva.

During the course of our relief work, we were able to extend humanitarian assistance to Muslim and non-Muslim communities around the area.

We have also arranged police protection for our brethren in this town.

NAGALPUR

This town has also been completely destroyed and all 21 families of our community have lost their houses and shops. The Mosque, Imambada and Library has been totally flattened. People have sought sanctuary in the grounds of the mosque and we have delivered tents, drinking water, foodstuff and essential medical supplies enough to last for two weeks to these people as well. One family has been moved to Mahuva.

BHUJ

Now a ghost town, the once throbbing town of Bhuj is now reduced to rubbles. Not a building in sight. Any building not flattened by the earthquake is uninhabitable. The Mosque and Imambada have been totally destroyed. 52 families are now camping in the grounds of Al Mahdi Colony, the housing estate built by the World Federation. In the colony, 4 houses have been totally destroyed and the rest have extensive structural damage.

Two families have been moved to Mahuva and the rest have been provided with emergency assistance in the form of foodstuff, medical supplies. We were able to secure medical supplies from the government agencies in this region for the use of our brethren. Drinking water and foodstuff, which will last for two weeks, has been distributed to our community members as well members of other Muslim communities in Bhuj who have fallen victims to this major disaster.

The Tawheed Boys Hostel has also been severely damaged and students residing there have been moved to the Abbasi Centre in Mahuva.

KERA and MUNDRA

These towns have suffered much less and the damage there is around 15% of the damage in other three regions of Kutch. 4 houses have been destroyed in MUNDRA and all people living in these two places are now camping outside the KERA Mosque for safety reasons, especially as the tremors and aftershocks continue.

Ghulubhai Bhurani - President
The Council of Gujarat - India

Al Haj Ghulubhai Bhurani was assured of the full support from the World Federation.

Ghulubhai Bhurani, the President of the Council of Gujarat, is already in touch with the government welfare agencies and putting the needs of our community to them. He is advising every affected member to register their names with their respective government agency.

He has prepared a list of all members from Bhuj, Nagalpur and Mariya Mian which the Secretariat shall be receiving very soon. Members eager to know of their relatives are asked to contact the Secretariat on 0208 954 9881 and ask for The Kutch Disaster Desk.

With Salaams and Duas

Secretariat

30th January 2001

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 4

This is a report from Al Haj Aunali Salehmohamed, Executive Councillor and Chotubhai Dossani, a former Executive Councillor who works closely with the World Federation and has personally visited the afflicted regions of Kutch.

We left Ahmedabad (Amdavad) with a convoy of relief supplies heading for Bhuj and other neighboring afflicted areas and this is what we saw:

In Kera, our people who have all been rendered homeless and have taken refuge in the grounds neighboring our mosque and set up makeshift shelters. Rajabalibhai Gulamhussein, a trustee and former President of the Kutch Federation has taken lead in managing the camp. Moreover, our members have displayed tremendous magnanimity by opening their arms to assist other Muslims who have fallen victims to the disaster. Relief convoys from members of our communities are helping them with provisions of ration and other essential supplies.

The convoy of supplies that we had taken from Amdavad met up with the convoy of supplies from Talaja brought by the Council of Gujarat. This was in Nagalpur where our people, again all homeless, have taken refuge in the grounds of the Mosque. We jointly distributed relief supplies assisting all the families who are now under open skies and sleeping in tents.

In Bhuj, our people have erected makeshift shelter in the grounds of the Al Mahdi Colony, the block of 24 flats that were constructed by the World Federation. Here, we were joined by yet another convoy of supplies from Bhavnagar. This included selfless Doctors who had sacrificed their valuable time to assist the sick and injured of our community.

We are trying our level best to assist all our brethren who are in need of foodstuff, tents, blankets and essential medical supplies. However, we remain in need of your prayers at all times.

With Salaams and Duas

Aunali Salehmohamed and Salim(Chotubhai) Dossani

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 3

Report of Al Haj Ghulubhai Bhurani's visit to Kutch following the massive earthquake in the region:

On 26th January at 8.00pm we departed from Talaja and at 5.00am the following day we arrived in MALIYA which has bore the brunt of the earthquake and where there are 120 people (17 families) of our community. Their houses and around 20 shops have all been reduced to rubble.

Thereafter, we proceeded, by road, to Bhuj where we arrived at 1.00 pm. We met our brothers in the Mahdi Colony where 4 houses have been flattened and the other 20 houses are now uninhabitable.

A 75 year old lady, from our community in Bhuj, died as a result of the calamity. In all, there are 61 families (272 people) in Bhuj who are now all homeless and wandering under open skies.

We distributed biscuits, milk powder, drinking water and other foodstuff we had taken along with us.

We gave the President of Kutch Federation, Akbarbhai Mawji a sum of Rupees 25,000 for immediate relief to all our brethren.

From there, the President of Bhuj, Fidabhai, Shawkatbhai and Azizbhai accompanied us to visit the Tawheed Boys Hostel, the Mosque and the Imambada which has been completely razed to the ground.

We then proceeded to Nagalpur where there are 22 families (114 people). Their houses have been completely destroyed and one five year old girl died.

Two ladies had both their legs broken and we have arranged to transfer them to a hospital in Bhavnagar.

Mundra and Kera have also suffered serious damage, but the most extensive damage is in Malia Mian, Bhuj and Nagalpur.

We have, for emergency relief, given cash Rupees 7,000 in Maliya and 2,000 in Nagalpur.

Moreover, we will again be leaving tonight at 10 pm with foodstuff, tents for shelter and medical supplies. There will be doctors and other volunteers accompanying us tonight.

Please do continue to remember us in your prayers.

With Salams and Duas

Al Haj Ghulubhai Bhurani, President

Council of Gujarat - India

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 2

At 18.45 (GMT), the World Federation office was able to contact Haji Aunali Salemohammad, our Executive Councillor and liaison officer in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. His information is that there are no death reports within our community in Ahmedabad, Alhamdulillah. The information is still preliminary and the assessment of casualties as well as damage to the property is still being worked out.

The communications to Bhuj and other towns and villages of Kutch are still cut off owing to the massive impact of the earthquake. The government is currently trying to send out a relief convoy to the afflicted areas.

We request all Momineen to pray for the safety of our community members in Gujarat.

Secretariat
26th January 2001

Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 1