You might like to see the following appeal for support by the Indian NGO
SSP for reconstruction work in Gujarat.  SSP has a good reputation in
participatory work - its programme after the 1993 Latur earthquake was
effective in rebuilding homes and empowering women.

If you know of any ways in which to help SSP's work in Gujarat, please get
in touch with them.


AN APPEAL ...  ACT NOW

Support the people of Gujarat in their rebuilding efforts


The earthquake of January 26th 2001 shattered the lives and livelihoods of
communities in Gujarat. Humanitarian response for immediate relief has come
in from all over the world. Two weeks after the devastating earthquake, the
situation is gradually moving from relief to rehabilitation. Building
temporary shelters to house people and restoring essential services through
building community infrastructure has emerged as the key necessity for the
people.

Hundreds of thousands of people, displaced from their homes, are finding it
extremely difficult to cope with everyday survival. We need to act right
NOW, to respond to the shelter needs of the people.

CHALLENGES AHEAD
Rehabilitation of earthquake-affected communities is a challenging task. It
calls for vision, innovation, resources and above all long-term commitment.
Rebuilding lives and livelihoods along with life support systems like
shelter, health care, schools, ration shops, water supply and sanitation,
etc may take years in the case of this unprecedented scale of
disaster. "Indeed, the real lessons from Latur, is the need to involve
communities, particularly women, in the planning of the reconstruction and
repair effort. And thereafter  in the ongoing needs of development in their
community" .

Experience of SPARC-SSP  after the post earthquake effort in Latur,
Maharashtra (India) shows that, an effective strategy is to support
initiatives by empowering local communities. Sharing of insights by women’s
groups and organizations that worked after the Latur earthquake, we feel
will act as the much needed catalyst for community efforts.  Lessons gained
by us have relevance in the context of a community driven approach. After
the Latur earthquake, SPARC-SSP  supported by the government, transformed a
state led beneficiary program into a community driven effort. Central to
this redesigned strategy, was the Government decision to empower the local
Mahila Mandals/women's groups in 300 villages to monitor progress of
reconstruction of houses and public infrastructure. Crucial to the success
of this intervention was the community self-monitoring system, facilitated
by SPARC-SSP. The macro spin-offs of this endeavor were several:

§ Women’s groups were involved in designing houses suitable to their
needs
§ Increased awareness and use of earthquake resistant technology
§ House owners contributed actively to rebuilding of houses
§ Resource allocations were monitored ensuring accountability of
implementing agencies and government officials.

And in effect, rehabilitation was dovetailed with development needs of
local communities.

PROPOSED PROJECT
A multi-disciplinary team has returned after a rapid needs assessment.
Apart from meeting immediate needs, rehabilitation strategies need to
strengthen and sustain the self-reliant spirit and enterprise of local
communities in Gujarat with information, skills and capacities. SPARC –SSP
plans to support the reconstruction work already initiated by affected
communities, local organizations, non-government organizations, corporate
houses and the government. At this point in time, building of public
structures through community participation is an effective approach to:

§ Disseminate technical information and know-how on earthquake
resistant construction
§ Demonstrate low cost and region sensitive building options
§ Rebuild peoples confidence to participate in community decision-
making

Supported by a team of engineers, architects and grassroots women’s groups
with previous experience of post disaster reconstruction SPARC-SSP
committed to reinforce people’s initiatives covering over 200 villages in
Kutch, Rajkot, Surendranagar and other affected districts in Gujarat.

Our aim is to build twenty community level multipurpose centers in the next
few months. Each center will cater to a cluster of 10 villages. Scaling up
of this effort will be done in partnership with the government and other
agencies.
The multipurpose center will function to inform and address practical needs
of local communities through programmes on health, education, training for
income generation etc. The center, we expect will bring communities
together after the disaster and provide an effective platform for community
planning. Building local capacities and skills is at the heart of the
approach planned by SPARC and SSP.  Local artisans, masons and community
volunteers will receive on site training in earthquake resistant technology
and construction. Local community contribution is expected in the following
ways:

· Women’s groups /Mahila Mandals to plan, build and manage centers
· Donation of landsite, provision of water and infrastructure from
Gram Panchayats
· Community volunteers to supervise earthquake safe construction
· Masons and local artisans will be retrained
· Contribution of labour for construction

RESOURCE SUPPORT

Total estimated budget for one multipurpose center Rs. 4,00,000 or 8900
U.S.D

Building   one community center approx. 1000 sq feet Rs.2, 40,000
Operational costs for one center  (2years) Rs.72, 000
Information on ERT and training programs Rs.76,000
Logistics costs  Rs. 12,000
Total estimated costs  Rs. 4,00,000

Your contribution is central to this initiative. We welcome your ideas and
look forward to benefiting from your technical expertise and management
systems.  We are sure that your contribution will go a long way in
improving the lives of the people in the earthquake-affected area.

Looking forward to a positive response,

In solidarity,
Sheela Patel , Prema Gopalan







PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DONATIONS TO:
Foreign donors donations/grants towards SPARC
Account no: 3895,  Bank of Baroda B. Desai Rd  Mumbai - 400026
Indian donors donations /grants to be sent to SSP Mumbai
by Demand Draft or Cheque to SSP Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund
All donations are eligible for 100 % tax exemption under the Income Tax Act



Contact for more information:
Sheela Patel, Director, SPARC, 2nd Flr, Upper Primary Municipal School, 1st
Lane Khetwadi, Girgaon, Mumbai 400004
Tel: 022-3858785, 3865053  [log in to unmask]

Prema Gopalan, Director, SSP, 5th Floor, CVOD Jain High School, 84 Samuel
Street, Dongri, Mumbai 400 009
Tel: 022-3719995, 3780730  Tel/Fax: 3700853  [log in to unmask]