WHOM DO YOU ASK FOR HELP WHEN THERE'S NO ONE AROUND ?

The bustling townships in and around Bhuj (Kutch) are now eerie ghost towns. For hours after the quake, these helpless victims cried for help. The problem was everyone around was either dead or crying out from the rubble themselves.

A 45 year-old woman lies unconscious in her bed. Waking up to an amputation will be the least of her worries. What she doesn't know is that both her daughters as well as her husband are dead. Hundreds of little children lie out in the cold, orphaned and terror-struck. The shock of having lost their entire family will leave an indelible scar on them. Many of the survivors have lost their will to live after having to cremate their own in mass pyres. For them surviving to see a future so uncertain has encompassed them with fear. Besides the evident physical maiming these people are scarred mentally for life. The impact of helplessly watching as loved ones lie buried deep under layers of rubble is a fact that these people will have to live with forever. The earthquake has left them with nothing but deep misery.

But with your help they can pick up the pieces and try to have another go at life. These people need physical as well as psychological help to overcome this disaster. The need of the hour is money to carry out rescue, rehabilitation and relief work.

The injured, homeless victims of the Kutch Earthquake have a ray of hope in the SHREE BIDADA SARVODAYA TRUST. This charitable organization has a history of 26 years of humanitarian work in various Kutch districts. The Trust has a permanent 50-bed Eye, Dental, Medical and Gynecology Hospital at Bidada where approximately 300 patients receive treatment everyday. This Trust has a deep understanding of the people of this area and a history of successfully treating more than 1.8 million people from this region over the years.

In the shocking aftermath of the quake, SHREE BIDADA SARVODAYA TRUST is operating at Bidada village in Mandvi taluka, approximately 50 kms. away from Bhuj. Since the quake the Trust has cared for hundreds of injured victims, carrying out successful surgeries and rehabilitation.

Of a total of nearly 900 villages, approximately 150 have been destroyed completely and 400 are partly destroyed. In the rush to rebuild the larger towns, many of the smaller villages are being overlooked. This is where the Trust hopes to make a difference.

Besides the medical aid at the hospital, relief operations are being carried out all over the affected parts of Kutch with the help of mobile ambulances, doctors and para medical personnel from all over the country.

The destruction is estimated at Rs. 30,000 crores (US $ 6670 mn), requiring a relief fund of approximately Rs. 2000 crores (US $ 450 mn). The Trust plans on helping these people rebuild their futures with the provision of basic necessities and permanent shelters.

For additional information please visit www.panjokutch.com

This mammoth task is possible only with YOUR wholehearted and generous support. We appeal to you to DONATE GENEROUSLY to this humanitarian cause.  

Fate has dealt these people a cruel hand. You can reach out and make a difference.

CHEQUES / DEMAND DRAFTS SHOULD BE DRAWN IN FAVOR OF:

Registered under : Public Charitable Trust Act, Bombay E-376.
IT Exemption No. : DIT(E)/MC/80-G/1804/97-98
Foreign Contribution No. : 042050010

The Donation Receipts eligible under Sec. 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 will be issued as being towards medical relief for earthquake relief operations. The same shall qualify for 100% exemption for donations made upto 30th September 2001.

Donations for the Earthquake relief work are being organized and overseen by reputed corporates. The utilization of these funds will be duly audited and the same will be available for verification.

Unless specifically mentioned, please send your Cheques / Drafts to :