Interim Report
of
the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts

The damages in terms of the loss of human lives and property damages are a lot more than what is being reported by the news media. Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad has initiated intensive efforts to provide immediate help to the people directly affected by this tragedy. 

With the grace of God and Gurudev, Sivananda Ashram site, including Visvanath Temple, Sadhak Kutir, etc. are safe. All the resources of the Ashram will be utilized for the purpose of providing the services to the people affected by this catastrophe.

 Initial Assessments:

 A team of volunteers visited the heavily affected area near Bhuj. Losses  in terms of human lives are very heavy and property damages are incalculable. Immediate need is to find the dead bodies and cremate them before they start rotting and prevent possibilities of outbreak of communicable diseases. There is acute shortage of burning woods to cremate the dead bodies. There is also shortage of drinking water. There is good supply of food, clothing, medicine etc. available but there is much confusion in distribution process as expected in the massive catastrophe like this. There is also urgent need to provide roof to the people who either lost their homes or they are not usable because of damage. 

 What has been done by Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh?

• A team of volunteers (from Divine Life Society, Orissa), who had actively participated in flood relief efforts in Orissa last year, are on the way to Gujarat. These are the people who had first hand experience to deal with devastation including disposing dead bodies. This was arranged after Sri Swami Shivchidanandaji Maharaj had extensive talk with Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj.

•  Sri Swami Ramaswarupanandaji had called and spoke to Swamiji and offered to shorten his foreign trip and come to Gujarat to help in the relief efforts.

• The ashram has facilities to provide housing and food to hundreds of people. The ashram is being utilized for this purpose. 

• Immediate medical help is being rendered through the existing medical facilities at the ashram and satellite clinic facilities.

• Distribute food in the affected area.

• Ashram has procured nine tones of wood that is being sent to cremate the dead bodies. Pure drinking water has being provided from the ashram’s well.

• Team of volunteers meet every morning and evening for planning and assigning duties.  

• The Ashram has direct contact with local government authorities in Rajkot, Morabi, Bhavanagar and other cities and towns in heavily affected areas. The plan is being coordinated with the local authorities and other organizations involved in relief work in the distraught regions.

 Intermediate to Long-term Plan

 To provide short, intermediate and long-term rehabilitation to the displaced families is expected to be very daunting job. The plan is being made, so that this will be available in due course of time.

• Build low to mid cost housing for affected families. Each residence is estimated to cost around Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000.

• Make people aware of the resources available in terms of government help, loans, international organization’s aids, etc.  Help people fill out applications for the various funds and aids which are expected to be made available. 

• Coordinate various programs with other charitable organizations and local governments as deemed necessary in the rehabilitation of displaced families.

• We shall update you regularly with the ongoing efforts. 

Please make generous charitable contribution to help the worthy relief efforts. 

 Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts

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