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Red Cross offers relief to victims of India quakeContact: Nicole Valentine, Coordinator of PR, (508)756-5711, Cell: 981-3931 Worcester, MA, January 26, 2001 - According to the U.S. National Earthquake Information Center, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck near the border with Pakistan at Rann of Kutch, a desert plateau in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The earthquake hit at 10:16 p.m. EST (8:46 a.m. local Indian time) on Thursday, January 25, 2001, while the people of India were celebrating Republic Day, the Indian independence day. The earthquake was felt in Pakistan and Nepal, although preliminary damage reports for these countries are not available. The Republic Day earthquake is the most intense earthquake to occur in the region in 40 years. In India alone, more than 500 people are currently reported dead, while many are reported injured. Since the initial earthquake, 13 aftershocks have been reported, with the highest measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale. The government of India activated the disaster management control room, where national relief efforts will be coordinated. Indian officials are also conducting search and rescue efforts throughout the affected areas. Red Cross Response The American Red Cross immediately released $25,000 to the Indian Red Cross to help jump start the relief operations. An American Red Cross international response worker was in New Dehli when the earthquake shook the area and immediately began working with the Indian Red Cross to identify immediate emergency needs and to provide relief to earthquake victims. In addition, two American Red Cross international relief workers who are experts in the region have been deployed to India and will be arriving within 24 hours. The American Red Cross has also placed two additional international relief workers, experts in logistics and communication, on alert for immediate travel. An International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent information and assessment team has been deployed to India. It is expected as with most earthquakes, immediate emergency human needs will include potable water, medicines, medical attention, shelter and food. The American Red Cross is in constant communication with the Indian Red Cross. As further damage and needs information is obtain, American Red Cross international relief response in the next 24 hours is likely to include:
MEDIA AND INQUIRIES An American Red Cross international public affairs officer, is on standby for deployment to India. To schedule an interview with her, please call Nicole Valentine at (508) 756-5711 ext. 328. HOW YOU CAN HELP: All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To help the victims of this and other disasters, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions to the International Response Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter, The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, P.O. Box 865, Worcester, MA 01613. IN-KIND DONATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED The American Red Cross does not solicit or accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief purposes. Small items such as food, clothing and shoes many times must be cleaned, sorted, and repackaged, which impedes the resources of money, time and personnel.
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