DEC is now focussing on disbursing the monies raised. Funds will be allocated to participating charitable agencies including: ActionAid, the British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, OXFAM, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

DEC released a renewed call for donations in early February when spending plans had reached £19 million but donations received were woefully short at only £6.5million. The intervening weeks has since seen an increase in fund receipts.

The message for those who were meaning to, planning and thinking about donating remains the same -your help is still DESPERATELY needed. Cheques can still be sent to DEC or you might want to contribute via one of the other organisations helping to rebuild after the devastation in Gujarat.

Indian Earthquake Appeal
On-Line Donations

On-line donations are a particularly easy way to give, especially via one of the following websites

UNICEF
Online: www.unicefusa.org
Telephone donations: 0345 312 312
Postal Donations: Freepost, Chelmsford, CM2 8BR. Make cheques payable to Unicef.

UNICEF was operating in Gujarat prior to the earthquake on drought-proofing activity throughout the state. On January 31st 2001 it issued its first request for assistance for children and women affected the earthquake, appealing for US$12.8 million. The focus of UNICEF effort is on emergency health relief, water supply and sanitation, shelter, provision of nutrients for those most at risk and care & trauma counselling. In February, UNICEF began a vaccination campaign. By February 12th more than 14,000 children under the age of five had been reached with eighty teams of health workers delivering the measles vaccine and a dose of Vitamin A to help strengthen children's immune systems.

The UNICEF site is regularly updated with special reports from the affected region and users can see recent pictures take in the area.

Sewa International
Online: www.sewa-international.org.uk
Telephone donations: 0800 447 799
Postal donations: SEWA International (UK), Indian Quake Appeal, 46/48 Loughborough Road, Leicester LE4 5LD

SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association) is a well-established Indian non-governmental organisation (NGO) and a partner of UNICEF. The word 'sewa' means "to serve" and the organisation aims to serve the poor, the illiterate and the afflicted. One of the first groups to be operating "on the ground" in Gujarat, SEWA has helped UNICEF and other charities deliver aid in the worst affected villages. SEWA will undoubtedly be one of THE charitable organisations that will continue to rebuild the area for many months to come.

BAPS Swaminrayan Sanstha
Online: www.baps-care.org/donation.htm
The Swaminarayan religious group - best known in the UK for building the Neasden Temple - have established their own fund-raising activity. The BAPS has over 100 sadhus and 1000 volunteers helping victims in the worst affected area. The BAPS is providing clothing, shelter, medical aid and has set-up kitchens to feed victims and relief teams.

Information and news are regularly updated on their site at www.swaminarayan.org/news/2001/01/earthquake/index.htm, providing very detailed lists on the number of hot meals served and food provided. The site also carries the latest pictures and information on help at village level and images of prayer meetings.

World Vision
Online: www.worldvision.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 088 088
Postal: World Vision, Freepost MK1730, Milton Keynes MK9 3YZ.

World Vision best known for its child sponsorship programmes, started sending aid to India in 1953. In October 1999 they responded to the devastating cyclone in Orissa, providing emergency food and clothing to nearly 20,000 people. As well as helping with emergency relief, World Vision has over 200 long-term community development projects in India. World Vision is a Christian organisation working towards sustainable development through its One World partnership. The charity receives its financial support from the UK Government, the EU and 60,000 people who sponsor children in poor communities.

Naturally there are many other reputable organisations equally deserving of your time and money. Those given here are merely a few that accept on-line donations for funds that will go towards rebuilding Gujarat following the devastating earthquake of January 26th 2001.

Top