Thursday, October 13, 2005
Hickups in relief effort
'Cruel joke' of India's relief effort - BBC Oct 13th
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Nearly a week after an earthquake decimated large swathes of northern Indian-administered Kashmir, civilians and NGO's have taken it upon themselves to feed, clothe, nurse and house thousands of survivors.
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As is the case with most Indian relief operations, there are a lot of hit-and-run gigs where 'volunteers' throw old clothes, food and plastic to screaming hungry and shivering throngs and depart.
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Nearly a week after an earthquake decimated large swathes of northern Indian-administered Kashmir, civilians and NGO's have taken it upon themselves to feed, clothe, nurse and house thousands of survivors.
...
As is the case with most Indian relief operations, there are a lot of hit-and-run gigs where 'volunteers' throw old clothes, food and plastic to screaming hungry and shivering throngs and depart.
It is a very Darwinian way of relief distribution - the old, sick and women practically get nothing.
Others are more methodical taking supplies to local warehouses, coordinating with local authorities - if they are listening- and making an effort to distribute it methodically.
Civilian administration disappoints
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While the authorities had flown in plane loads of food and relief — 30-40 tonnes of food — the bulk of it was in the district headquarters in Uri town; not distributed to villagers even though mountain tracks were open. - Source: gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
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If the civilian authorities were taking their time, the army was sticking it out. - Source: Rediff (Oct 11th)
