USAID: Testimony of Leonard M. Rogers, Bureau for Humanitarian Response, 03/01/2001

This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

Testimony of Leonard M. Rogers,
Acting Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Humanitarian Response
before the Committee on International Relations
Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia
House of Representatives
"India Earthquake"
March 3, 2001

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is an honor to appear before the Subcommittee today. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the recent devastating earthquake in India and the U. S. Government's response.

As you know, on January 26, 2001, an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale hit western India. The epicenter was located a few miles northeast of the town of Bhuj in Gujarat State, but it also affected neighboring countries, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. This was the most powerful earthquake in India since 1950.

POPULATION AFFECTED AND PROPERTY DAMAGED

Official Government of India data place the current death toll at more than 19,000, with some estimates suggesting the final toll may be as high as 30,000. Estimates of the number of people injured range from almost 150,000 to over 165,000. Most of the deaths and injuries occurred in Kutch district. In total, upwards of twenty million people have been affected, including perhaps one and a half million left homeless.

An estimated 275,000 houses were destroyed, while another roughly 665,000 were damaged. In addition, the earthquake destroyed some 17,000 classrooms, three hospitals, 25 health centers, and 14 health sub-centers. Total damage, based on government estimates and a preliminary World Bank assessment, will likely exceed two billion dollars.

THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Following the first reports of the earthquake, the U. S. Government began working with the Government of India to decide priorities and determine what we could best do to help. After the Indian Government's initial assessment, it was decided that the U. S. would concentrate on shelter and water. Search and rescue efforts were to be handled primarily by the Indians themselves, supported by countries closer to the disaster, such as Russia. Medical assistance would come from the Indian Government and from other donors.

On the very day the earthquake occurred, USAID activated a Washington-based operations center, open round the clock, to support relief work in the field, to serve as a central clearinghouse for information and to facilitate the coordination of all U. S. Government activities in support of the disaster response. USAID's Office of U. S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in the Bureau for Humanitarian Response (BHR) began deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to India on January 26.

To date, USAID/OFDA has responded with a total of $7.4 million in emergency relief assistance. Grants have been approved for water and sanitation, shelter, emergency food distribution, community infrastructure and nutrition interventions to five implementing partners, including: Catholic Relief Services, CARE, World Vision Relief and Development, World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). USAID-funded airlifts of relief commodities began arriving in India on January 30 and included blankets, sleeping bags, and equipment for water and sanitation.

The Department of Defense also contributed relief supplies, including tents and heavy equipment. These supplies were airlifted to Ahmedabad on four flights from Guam. The total value of the DOD contribution was $4.6 million.

USAID's Office of Food for Peace has provided approximately $800,000 in emergency P.L. 480 Title II food aid through Catholic Relief Services and CARE. Both partners were already implementing longer-term food assistance programs at the time of the earthquake, which meant that they were immediately able to divert food stocks in-country to the disaster area.

As of February 14, USAID's DART reported that the repair of power, telephone, and water supply systems and the removal of debris from the streets were well under way, and people were being housed in temporary shelters. Although the incidence of orthopedic injuries is extremely high, there have been no major outbreaks of infectious disease resulting from the disruption in water supplies and displacement of large numbers of people. Sanitation remains a primary concern, however, particularly in urban areas and densely populated relief camps.

The U. S. Government's emergency assistance to India in the aftermath of the earthquake totals $12.8 million.

OTHER DONORS AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS

The enormous outpouring of assistance from private citizens and local businesses, as well as the international community, contributed significantly to a rapid relief effort and the beginning of a return to "normal" living conditions by many of the people affected by this tragedy. Many countries have made in-kind or cash donations either bilaterally or through the United Nations system. The World Food Program has provided 300 metric tons of high-protein biscuits for the most vulnerable population, launched an emergency food distribution program for 300,000 persons, and established a joint logistics cell to coordinate relief logistics.

INDIAN LEADERSHIP

From the beginning, the Government of India has provided strong leadership in response to this major disaster. They deployed their military as an integral part of the relief effort and, through both national and state governments, have provided most of the material support. Following an initial period of needs assessment, they have done a sound job of prioritizing relief needs and coordinating the overall response.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL U. S. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

USAID and the DOD carried out a joint survey assessment of ongoing support requirements. Continuing health concerns include rehabilitative and reconstruction supplies and specialists, trauma counseling, restoration of health facilities - especially primary health care centers - and the identification of local health professionals who can provide assistance once international medical personnel and mobile health clinics depart the affected areas. Shelter remains a concern.

RECONSTRUCTION

As the relief phase of this disaster transitions into reconstruction, it will be important for the Government of India to focus on "building back better." It is a difficult fact to accept, but lives are saved in earthquakes through measures taken before the earthquakes happen. Proper building codes are essential, sound construction practices need to be adhered to, and people living in areas prone to earthquakes need to prepare. Since Gujarat is close to the edge of a tectonic plate, it will be subject to earthquakes in the future. So, measures taken during reconstruction will save lives and mitigate damage in the next earthquake.

The World Bank has provided a preliminary estimate of total reconstruction costs of $2.3 billion. India is a country with substantial resources of its own to contribute to reconstruction. The private sector is vigorous and is supporting the effort, as is the non-resident Indian community. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank can be expected to make major contributions, and the United States will support them in doing so.

In terms of direct U. S. assistance for reconstruction, USAID has so far identified approximately $10 million in reprogrammed development assistance that can be used to help affected communities in Gujarat. I understand the U. S. Mission is currently seeking GOI support for this effort. These resources will be used to start quick-impact activities that put communities back to work repairing physical infrastructure necessary to restart economic activity and restore social services. The U. S. PVO, Catholic Relief Services, will continue feeding earthquake victims in Gujarat with a portion of the more than 53,000 metric tons of food aid (valued at twenty million dollars) that the organization is providing India this fiscal year under USAID's P.L. 480 Title II program. We will also work with the Government of India to determine whether assistance on disaster mitigation might be desirable to help prepare for future earthquakes. As we continue to refine our assessment of India's needs, we intend to determine whether further U. S. reprogramming might be necessary.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to appear before the Subcommittee. I would be happy to answer any questions.