[Forward from the bytes for all list ... John.]
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From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 10:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [bytesforall] Earthquake in Gujarat and 'Bytes for All' Appeal
to World Community
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Earthquake in Gujarat and 'Bytes for All' Appeal to World Community
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Dear friends,
The earthquake that claimed the lives of nearly 20,000 people in
Gujarat,India recently is just one of several visitations of nature's
fury in South Asia. In the past ten years alone hundreds of thousands
of people have perished in earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts in
the region which spans India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri
Lanka.
No country in the region is exempt from natural disasters. The entire
Indian subcontinent is vulnerable to earthquakes. The worst quakes in
the past decade occurred in Latur, Maharashtra, the Garhwal region of
Uttar Pradesh and now Gujarat. The eastern coast of India particularly
the coast of Orissa and Bangladesh are regularly battered by cyclones.
Droughts alter with floods to take a huge toll of human lives.
The new millenium has opened with the specter of famine hovering above
most of the countries in the region. This year will see large-scale
migration to cities as food and water stocks reach a record low in
most of these countries. The first of the mass movement of people has
already been reported from Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of
refugees from this beleaguered nation have moved into Pakistan's
North-West Frontier Province. More are at the borders awaiting the
first opportunity to get in.
Natural disasters are only compounded by acts of human omission and
commission. One of the most populous regions in the world, South Asia
suffers from grinding poverty, inadequate infrastructure and a
leadership crisis. Time and again, conventional solutions designed for
the first world have proved to be entirely insufficient to meet the
requirements of South Asia. Alternatives in technologies, value
systems, infrastructure setup, human resource management are all
required to meet the needs of the region.
BFA's Initiative: Next Issue on Diaster Management
Bytes for All, a volunteer-effort by participants from South Asia, is
engaged in promoting low-cost alternative technologies which could be
easily adopted in the region. We would like to explore the potential
offered by such technologies to combat the effects of natural
disasters. For instance, information on alternative construction
technologies that could help buildings withstand severe earthquakes
and cyclones is welcome. Low-cost water conservation techniques that
could be implemented by small communities would be another important
feature at our site.
BfA believes that a well-maintained communication network is essential
to disseminate information in times of disaster. Links to community
radio networks (HAM) radios, Internet radios, and online help on
forming information networks are a necessity. We would also like to
help concerned citizens form disaster management plans in their
communities so that rescue and relief operations can be launched with
minimum help from outside agencies.
BfA therefore welcomes individuals, social organizations, owners of
mailing lists, academics, social workers and anyone who can contribute
with information or volunteer in this effort.
We all at 'Bytes for All' are safe on this earthquake but the millions
aren't. We pray for the departed souls of our brothers and sisters in
Gujarat and other places across the border.
Thanks.
'Bytes for All' Family____
Shiv Kumar (Mumbai, India),
Zunaira Durrani (Karachi, Pakistan),
Sangeeta Pandey (Kathmundu, Nepal),
Gihan Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka),
Nadeem Hamid (Islamabad, Pakistan),
Daryl Martyris (Indian, living in Chicago, USA),
Archana Nagvekar (Goa, India),
Zubair Faisal Abbasi (Islamabad, Pakistan),
Arun Kumar Tripathi (Indian, living in Dortmund, Germany),
Frederick Noronha (Goa, India),
Partha Pratim Sarker (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
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