2001 EARTHQUAKE OF GUJARAT

Help by BAPS

Villages Helped

BAPS provided relief aid to 409 villages and 107 suburbs of Bhuj and Morbi. Click here for a detailed list.

The Gujarat earthquake relief and rehabilitation work conducted by BAPS was the largest in its entire history, involving thousands of volunteers across the world and spanning over two years. The points below will illustrate how BAPS helped the victims of one of the worst disasters in modern time.

Immediate Help- January 26, 2001

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, President of BAPS had felt the earthquake in a village named Bochasan. Immediately he got in touch with all BAPS centres in Gujarat and took a firsthand account of the extent of the disaster. The following relief operations were performed immediately.

Rescue

The immediate priority was to save people trapped under rubble of fallen buildings. This task of rescuing people required a coordinated effort by many BAPS volunteers.

Food Distribution

At 8:46 am on 26 January, 2001 , millions of people in Gujarat become homeless. It was immediately realised that food would be one of the largest necessities to be provided. BAPS set out at once to serve thousands.

BAPS Relief Kitchens

For a period of 45 days from January 26th, BAPS operated 11 relief kitchens feeding over 37,000 people everyday at Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Anjar, Bhadra, Bhachau, Gandhidham, Jamnagar , Khavda, Morbi, Rapar and Surendranagar. An additional 400 packed meals were delivered to people unable to come to BAPS relief kitchens. For details click here.

Shelter

BAPS erected large and small tents, and marquees to shelters thousands of homeless victims from the freezing winter nights. Mattresses and blankets were provided, toilet and bathrooms facilities arranged and hot meals were served. Cloakroom facilities to store belongings were set up.

Shelters were also provided by BAPS at Surendranagar, Gondal and Rajkot .

Medical Aid

Of all natural disasters, earthquakes produce the highest number of casualties and injuries.

BAPS medical services provided to earthquake victims:

Relief & Household Items Distribution

Reasons why BAPS was successful in providing relief:

On 26 January, a list of emergency relief materials were sent immediately to all BAPS centres to collect and transport aid to BAPS Relief Office in Ahmedabad.

BAPS centres in Mumbai, New Delhi , Kolkata, Chennai, Secundrabad, Bangalore , Nagpur , Raipur and Jaipur collected and transported aid by road, rail and air. BAPS centres in Mumbai, London and Dubai sent relief materials by ship and air. Financial aid collected in UK , Canada , USA and the rest of the world was also sent.

Relief Operation

As well as distributing food packets and food items, BAPS also distributed relief and household material carefully taking note of the victims' needs and requirements:

Furthermore, cooking utensils and dining sets together with toiletry items and shoes were also distributed.

Counselling & Restoring Dignity

As the tremors continued, the emotional traumas increased. Thousands upon thousands of victims were given physical aid by BAPS, but an even larger number were given psychological and emotional counselling to help overcome a variety of post-traumatic stress disorders. BAPS has understood the importance of this intangible, yet indispensable form of support and have actively counselled a great number of people in every age group. Today, many have recovered from the mental shock of the disaster and have picked up the pieces from their shattered lives

Prayers for Peace
On 7 February, BAPS arranged a mass memorial at the Jubilee Ground in Bhuj where homage was paid and prayers for peace were offered for the departed souls. Over 1,200 relatives and friends of the deceased attended the gathering to offer their respects and condolences.

Rehabilitation & Reconstruction

From day one, BAPS realised that this would be a long term relief operation in which homes would have to be rebuilt and people rehabilitated. Therefore, BAPS conducted surveys in the first few days of the earthquake.

Phase One
In February, BAPS was approached by the Government of Gujarat to adopt villages completely devastated by the earthquake. BAPS in turn adopted 11 villages and 4 colonies for rehabilitation:

Phase Two
BAPS architects and engineers conducted detailed surveys of the entire region of Kutch and Gujarat before drafting plans of the new villages. The following points were taken into consideration:

655 Temporary Houses for 3,480 people
While construction for the new villages was underway, BAPS, on 2 March 2001 , provided 655 temporary tin homes with kitchen and toilet cum bathroom facilities to 3,480 people in Bhuj and Khavda. Electricity, water supply, cooking utensils, blankets, clothes and household goods were also provided and distributed. A special provisional store selling household and toiletry items and dispensary were also erected on the campus.

Phase Three
As plans for the new villages were passed by the Government, BAPS purchased suitable lands for construction. On 24 March 2001 , the foundation stone-laying ceremonies were performed and construction began.

Click here for details on BAPS Earthquake Reconstruction Work.

Educational Aid

The earthquake had caused widespread destruction of educational institutions, thus jeopardising the future of countless children. BAPS immediately set to work and adopted 49 schools in 39 villages for reconstruction. 307 classrooms and rooms were constructed, handed over and today, the future of 15,000 children looks a lot brighter.

Special Features of BAPS Schools

• Earthquake-resistance design and construction.
• Adequate natural lighting and ventilation in each classroom.
• Tubelights and fans in each classroom.
• Tables, chairs, benches, blackboards, etc in each classroom.
• Provision for constructing extra floor in the future.
• Full bathroom, toilet and water facilities.
• Construction completed with tiles and paintwork.

For a detailed list of schools constructed by BAPS, click here.

Vocational Assistance

The courage of the people of Kutch is their unique wealth. That is why they were able to get up on their feet quickly after the earthquake. And to help them, BAPS provided them essential equipment and facilities to re-establish their vocation and livelihoods.

Tools and equipment provided by BAPS

Total of 2,243 earthquake victims were given vocational assistance.

Assistance to women for self-efficiency

Assistance for Farming, Cattle-Rearing

• 6 acres of fodder planted for cows.
• 1,500 fruit-bearing trees planted.
• 16 buffaloes distributed (with insurance and veterinary arrangements).
• Drinking water and ponds for buffaloes.
• Bore well at Bhura Gharrandh.

Kitchen Gardens & Tree Planting

• 453 houses in Pragpar, Ramnagar, Bhirandiyara, Hudko and Jamkunariya have drip-irrigated kitchen gardens.
• 21 primary schools of Mandvi have grounds for mid-day meals and at least 200 litres of water supply and a kitchen garden.

Volunteers

Special Features of BAPS Volunteers

• 55,000 volunteers - one of the largest and organised volunteer forces in India.
• A special volunteer cell at BAPS Head Office in Ahmedabad coordinates all volunteers.
• BAPS works with Zero Administration Cost.
• In the aftermath of the earthquake, BAPS deployed 180 sadhus and over 6,500 volunteers to each and every part of devastated Gujarat.
• Thousands more were deployed to orchestrate a massive campaign to collect relief aid in India, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, Uganda, UK and USA.
• A rota system was set up to ensure enough manpower was available to execute the relief operation. Every 10 days, a fresh batch of 250 volunteers turned up for their duties at the BAPS camp in Bhuj.

Volunteer Stories

Vasudev (Bhuj). Age 30. His entire home was destroyed. He lost is mother, sister-in-law and young niece to the earthquake. He started serving at the BAPS camp in Bhuj from day one.

Satish Bharatwala (Bhuj). Age 34. His home and embroidery shop were crushed with his mother, wife and young daughter. He sustained broken ribs and a fractured left arm. He is the only surviving member of his family, yet he served at the BAPS camp in Bhuj, directing people at the main gate.

The spirit of a bed-ridden young man (age 25) with both legs in plaster and head in bandages reflect the resilience and toughness of the people of this land. Despite his predicament, he served enthusiastically. Lying in bed he said, “I tear newspapers for people when they come here to eat. It's the only thing I can do lying down, but wait till I get on my feet again!”

Arun & Kishore Soni (Bhuj). By some remarkable stroke of luck, one of the only phone lines working in Bhuj just after the earthquake was the 31375 line at the BAPS centre. Arun, who lost his sister, and Kishore, who lost five members from his family, were assigned the duty of answering the phone. The centre was flooded with calls from all over the world. Some from anxious relatives inquiring about loved ones. Arun and Kishore, who were both familiar with Bhuj, would communicate messages and return crucial information on well being of relatives to callers.

Philippe Violette ( USA ). He joined the BAPS relief team for 8 days in Kutch . He writes of his experience, “I worked side-by-side with one BAPS volunteer for 3 days before learning that he had lost his father and son in the earthquake. If this had happened to me, I wouldn't have been able to serve. We are individualistic people, so we would have been paralysed by self-pity. I was impressed.”

Carl Just (Chief Reporter of Swiss Daily ‘Sonntags Blick' ). It was the sacrifice and the service of volunteers that convinced me to serve. I was highly touched by volunteers who were performing so many services.”

Opinions

“BAPS is doing excellent work with divine contribution. The relief site is scientific and a beautiful combination of love and care.”

APJ Abdul Kalam (President of India )

“BAPS volunteers are the real heroes. In his heart, Pramukh Swami has no distinctions. Thank you for helping the people hurt by the earthquake, for working for peace and reconciliation.

Bill Clinton (Former President of the United States)

“BAPS has provided an extraordinary example of rapid and practical assistance without any administrative cost which is the truly remarkable part.”

Prince Charles (HRH Prince of Wales , UK )

"Tremendous work. This is the largest and most organised relief camp I've visited here in Bhuj. Congratulations."

Maria Calivis ( Project officer, UNICEF)

“Excellent! Using only volunteers, BAPS is doing great and significant work. It is a great example of community progress through relief aid and rehabilitation work. Great vision!”

Tado Chino (President, Asian World Bank)

"This camp is special because it not only provides excellent physical aid, but also the loving care and attention so necessary to heal emotional scars of such a traumatic tragedy."

Dr. Mahesh Arora ( International Coordinator, International Red Cross)

"You are doing a fine job. We have a lot to learn from you."

Mr. Shalom ( Commander in Chief, Israeli Rescue Team)

"We are very much surprised to see all that you have done for the victims of the earthquake. Best of luck in your future work. We hope to see you one day in France !"

Mr Michel ( Sapeurs promprers Sacurite Civile Francaise, French Civil Security)

"Today is my birthday. And I thank you for giving me a wonderful birthday gift - the chance to help you help others."

Carl Just ( Chief Reporter for Swiss daily 'Sonntags Blick')
(After seeing the diligence and efficiency of the relief camp, Carl contributed Rs. 10,000 in cash to the BAPS Earthquake Relief Fund)

"Your efforts here are greatly appreciated by all the people of America as well."

Zubin Kapadia ( American Citizen Services Unit, US Consulate General)

"Our team have been to disasters all over the world but we've never seen a camp working so efficiently at zero administration cost. It's quite unique! The dedication and sacrifice of the volunteers is also inspiring. This will surely regenerate confidence in the people much faster."

Victor Antoine ( Reuters, Singapore )

"What I see here is sincerity, honesty, and a genuine striving to help. Only NGOs like you can reach the afflicted masses in the interior villages."

Mr. Jagdeeshan (IAS) ( Govt. Officer in Charge of Relief Operations, Bhuj)

“Of all the NGOs serving in Kutch , BAPS heads the list. The dedication, devotion, sacrifice, management and tolerance of these sadhus and volunteers has touched all and set an inspiring example.”

H. N. Chhibar (Collector, Kutch )

"I can't imagine what we would have done without you. We government officials have gained much inspiration from your ongoing work here. Seeing your expertise and efficiency, we have learnt a lot from you."

Mr. Anil Mukim (IAS) ( Collector, Bhuj)

"You are doing my job! how can I ever repay you for all that you have done for the people of Bhuj. Simply I have no words to thank your Sadhus and Volunteers."

Maharaja Shri Pragmalsinhji ( Maharaja of Bhuj)

"It seems only Pramukh Swami's organisation has the management power and manpower to do such a massive, well-managed undertaking. I will send my vehicles and my men as volunteers."

J.P. Thakur ( Officer in Command, SSB, Indian Army)

"This truly is a Herculean operation. Most organised. Most efficient. it serves as an inspiration to other NGOs, and even the government."

Mr. Vijay Dave ( Chief Town Planner of Gujarat )

"With the efficiency and zeal with which we see aid being given here, we rest assured that the every single grain of our contribution will be reaching the afflicted - the right people, at the right time.

Ashok Jangid ( Corporate Secretary, Siemens)

“Many have asked me, “Why have you donated money from Middle East to BAPS?” I replied, ‘When we went to Kutch, BAPS was there on the first day of the earthquake, and six months later when we went again we saw BAPS was still serving the people. After one year, we see BAPS is still there. I have faith that the funds donated have been fully utilised by BAPS. They are doing such good work that it will last for years. If there is an organisation doing better work, then I will donate there.”

Bharat Shah (Doyen of Gujarati Samaj, Dubai )

“On behalf of our Soyla village, which is entirely inhabited by Muslim families, I thank Pramukh Swami and BAPS for supporting the whole village with rations, blankets, tarpaulins and relief aid, as well as grass for our cattle. "