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	Relief & Rehab in Gujarat after the 2001 Earthquake
	On the morning of January 26, 2001, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the state of Gujarat. With its epicenter located near the town of Bhuj in the Kutch region of Gujarat, the quake is estimated to have claimed between 30,000 and 100,000 lives and caused several billions of dollars of property damage. AID has been focusing on rehabilitation and livelihood generation projects for the earthquake victims including those that the government machinery has still not managed to reach. We do not believe that mere short-term relief is the answer to this natural disaster, which is further complicated by the socio-economic and political dimensions. Long term sustenance and its benefits have played a central role in our approach to earthquake relief efforts. In order to mitigate the desperation of the people affected by the earthquake, AID had earlier disbursed $51,000 in immediate relief through various non-governmental organizations of repute. AID has disbursed an additional $246,000 towards long term rehabilitation and livelihood generation activities such as housing reconstruction, vocational training activities of various kinds, health care (including supply of artificial limbs), helping to consolidate water supplies etc. Even in the year 2005, AID continues its support for projects that tackle long term post-earthquake needs. More details about AID supported post-earthquake relief and rehabilitation projects over the last 4 years are available here. One of the most encouraging developments for us was the personal involvement of our volunteer, Gautam Desai and his wife Dr. Urvi Desai. Though residing in the US in a managerial position, Gautam (with prior experience in grassroots work) was 'on the ground' for months to personally participate in the earthquake rehabilitation work in Gujarat. He also worked on the broader social issues such as human rights and transparent governance to ensure an equitable society. He has been deeply involved with an NGO forum called Lok Adhikar Manch, that is demanding fair rehabilitation and relief packages on behalf of the people. Sadly, however, government officials in February 2002 had attacked the Lok Adhikar Manch members who were protesting peacefully, with lathi charges and arrests, when they were trying to present the issues before the Gujarat government and demanding action from them. AID volunteers strongly protested this kind of brutal violation of civil rights and the insensitive attitude of government towards people's needs. AID gained good experience in working with relief and rehabiliation efforts for the Gujarat earthquake victims and this experience has also helped AID to build institutional linkages with many grassroots groups in Gujarat, that will be useful for future joint work on the path of sustainable development.

	A.I.D is registered with the US Federal Government as a non-profit charitable association under the category 501(C)(3). Its federal Tax-ID is 52-1863480. All donations to AID are tax-deductible in the U.S.A. *All receipts for the donations made through credit cards and checks towards Gujarat Earthquake Relief have been sent. If you have not received your receipt please call (888) TALK-2-AID.
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