GHI and SEEDS - Gujarat Earthquake Safety Initiative :: Updates

Two things contributed vastly to the huge scale of destruction caused by the earthquake in Gujarat. Poorly designed buildings which were not earthquake resistant and lack of disaster preparedness in the state. While VIDE spent most of the money raised to help in relief and rehabilitation of victims, we also realized the need for addressing the above 2 societal problems to prevent or reduce future disasters.

With this in mind VIDE is supporting GeoHazards International (GHI), Palo Alto and Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), Delhi in the Gujarat Earthquake Safety Initiative project (GujESI). This project is aimed at improving the earthquake risk management in India (in particular Gujarat).

GHI has come with a proven methodology for analyzing the earthquake risk and mitigation options of a large communities. The methodology involves:

(1) Assessing the earthquake risk and mitigation options in few Gujarat cities by collecting various data related to the cities' seismic vulnerability, building inventory, social infrastructure such as hospitals, fire department, schools, etc. through various kinds of surveys.

(2) Educating the decision makers (officials) about the risk and mitigation options through workshops and interactive surveys.

(3) Dissemination of information collected to the general public through reports, press conference, newspaper articles, etc.

SEEDS shall be applying this methodology primarily to Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda. Officials from other Gujarat cities affected by earthquake such as Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachao, etc., will also be kept involved in this educational process. The focus would be to find, train and support people who can make earthquake risk management a strong social movement. Most aspects of risk management put in place for earthquakes would also serve towards mitigating the affects of other disasters such as fire, floods, etc. Thus, the long-term goal of this project is to initiate a change in awareness and attitude towards disaster management, in Indian urban communities.

The efforts in Gujarat which VIDE is funding is the first part of a nation wide effort of applying the GHI methodology. GHI is seeking funds from other international funding organizations to replicate this work in rest of India. Hence, we hope that this project carries great potential in kicking off a national initiative towards disaster mitigation as opposed to rescue.

GujESI will be a 6-month project starting in Jan/Feb 2002. The total project cost in Indian Rupees is 810250. (Approximately USD 17,000).

Project Message:
We support development projects that are of long-term importance and contribute to a better, safer India.

Project Owner:
Arvind Prabhudev

NGO Contacts:
GeoHazards International,
Palo Alto, California.
Mr Brian Tucker
Ph # +1-650-614-9050

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society,
New Delhi, India.
Mr Manu Gupta
Ph # +91-11-6262489, 6250475