Case study - Gujarat earthquake

In January 2001, the worst earthquake in India's history flattened hundreds of towns and villages in Gujarat. More than 20,000 people were killed, 166,000 injured and 1.1 million homes destroyed.

ActionAid’s immediate response to the disaster included the provision of food, temporary shelters, trauma counselling, community centres and day care for orphaned children. Four years on, we are still working with those affected by the earthquake.

The long-term approach
ActionAid has a long-term approach to emergencies. As well as immediate relief, we engage in long-term projects aimed at sustainable recovery and rehabilitation of the affected communities. Building on our experiences in the aftermath of the 1999 Orissa cyclone, we targeted the most vulnerable groups, those who found it difficult getting what they needed or were excluded entirely from mainstream rehabilitation efforts.
Our long-term work in Gujarat is centred on livelihood and community advocacy programmes to ensure that poor people can earn a living now and in the future and that they are involved in the decisions which affect them. We have helped them get a fair share of the available resources and made sure they are equipped to cope with future emergencies.

Sneh Samudaya network
The Sneh Samudaya network was developed by ActionAid to address the issues that concern the poorest and most vulnerable survivors: the marginalised communities of Kolis, Muslims and Dalits (lower caste) in 150 villages.

The Sneh Samudaya network supports these communities to help them access food, security and lead dignified lives. Women usually have greater need of support in emergencies but less access to available assistance because they are often excluded and discriminated against. There is a group within the network who specifically caters to the needs and rights of women who lost their husbands in the earthquake. There is also a group in the network that works to ensure those people disabled by the earthquake, particularly paraplegics, have access to services and receive the support from the state to which they are entitled.

photo : ©Kalpesh Lathigra/ NB Pictures/ ActionAid