Friday, October 14, 2005
Areas Affected and Extent of Damage in India
Here's what I could gather from various reports. There are conflicting reports on some of these.
Total toll in J&K (India):
- 1300 (Oct 12th)
Affected Towns
Affected Villages:
Total toll in J&K (India):
- 1300 (Oct 12th)
Affected Towns
- Uri (close to LoC)
- Article - Time
113,000 people live in 95 villages around Uri and 75 of those have suffered “90% damage,” by which he means houses damaged beyond being inhabitable, or totally destroyed. “We have fifteen to twenty thousand damaged homes,” he says. “We need 50,000 blankets and 15,000 tents. So far we have two to three thousand blankets and a few hundred tents."
- Tangdar
- Kupwara (mentioned somewhere as a district too)
- Sopore (or Sopur - north of Srinagar)
- Kandi
- 13 people died
- 90% of 350 houses unlivable (all houses damaged)
- Karnah (185 kms from Srinagar)
- Baramullah
- Poonch (Moti Mahal fort collapsed)
Affected Villages:
- Karnah constituency
- Semari (or Seemari)
- Nachian
- Tangdhar (only 200 tents out of the needed 7000 reached)
- Nachin->Seemari, Tangdhar->several hamlets near LoC - 50000 live and are affected
- Chamkote
- 4 areas and 3 hamlets below are more affected but officials stop at Tangdhar, the 3 hamlets are inaccessible
- Pinglaharidal
- Badarkote
- Abkote
- Dringla
- Reala, Murichan, Beadi (hamlets attached to the above 3 villages)
- Chanipora Payeen
- 400 houses collapsed, however only 1 casualty, 10 injured.
- Uri sector
- Gawalan (15kms from town of Uri)
- almost all of the 400 small houses inhabited by 5000 people have collapsed.
- Kamal Kote (few miles from Uri - very close to LoC)
- In Kamalkot, one of the worst affected villages in Uri flanked by steep snow-capped Pakistani ridges, there is a traffic jam of relief supply vehicles, but survivors are still sleeping out in the cold. - BBC (Oct 13th)
- Has already counted 300 dead - Indian Express (Oct 13th)
- 317 out of about 1,000 died - Time Asia (Oct 10th)
- About 600 huts; death toll in Kamalkote alone could be between 600 and 700, if not more - Rediff (Oct 11th)
- Village with highest number of deaths and largest scale of devastation - Indian Express (Oct 11th)
- A group of four Armymen was travelling in a Gypsy van with food and water for people trapped in Kamalkote village. They had to leave behind the vehicle as the road ahead had caved in. There is a 45-minute trek up the slope to reach Kamalkote. The road lies blocked by huge rocks that rolled down the slope during the quake - Indian Express (Oct 10th)
- Chapper (7kms from Uri)
- 4 killed due to collapsed walls - Indian Express (Oct 10th)
- Garkoot (also Garkote)
- home to 20,000 (has mustard and rice fields) - gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
- with army working overtime to restore communication links, Garkote’s residents feel unloved but not cut off - gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
- Churanda
- located on a hill and no one has come down yet - Indian Express (Oct 10th)
- Dachi
- Tangdhar (sector?)
- Sultan Tiki (also referred to as Sultan Dhaki? or is this a different village?)
- army delivered supplies (water) - Rediff (Oct 11th)
- need to climb steep slopes for an hour to get to the village - Rediff (Oct 11th)
- Not sure where the following villages are (but they are affected)
- Shahdara - gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
- Teetwal
- Karna
- Jabla (5kms from LoC) - gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
- not much information on relief centers
- in general, residents put up makeshift tents at various places
- Biscoe School in Chanipora Payeen
- Govt has been supplying relief materials but couldn't find much info on relief centers.
- makeshift emergency hospital set up on a school ground in Uri - Indian Express (Oct 10th)
- We’ve set up six kitchens in Uri and Tangdhar - Army spokesperson Colonel Hemant Juneja - gulf-news.com (Oct 11th)
- Jamia Masjid
- Rajbagh
- Rajouri Kadal
- Human Aid Society - Baramullah - Rediff (Oct 11th)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Hickups in relief effort
'Cruel joke' of India's relief effort - BBC Oct 13th
...
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.
...
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
...
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)
...
If the civilian authorities were taking their time, the army was sticking it out. - Source: Rediff (Oct 11th)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
IAK - Update 1
Remote villages close to the LoC are still facing a grim situation with no food or shelter after 5 days of the quake. A survivor was recovered from beneath the rubble in the village of Chappar on Wednesday. In Kamal Kote, aid finally trickled in on Tuesday.
The town of Uri has started receiving aid in trucks and military transporters. However, this aid cannot reach the town of Bagh just 4 kms away and on the other side of the LoC because of political reasons. Pakistani authorities have allegedly ruled out allowing Indian troops to carry out relief works in P.A.K. Even so, there is one incident reported by a couple of sources that Indian soldiers crossing over to P.A.K. to retrieve Pakistani guards stuck in a bunker. It was later clarified that Indian soldiers only crossed over unarmed to hand over some tools. In other news, six Indian soldiers carrying aid on foot to a village near the Kashmiri town of Tandgar have been killed in a landslide.
Even while there are reports of aid reaching the town of Uri and the military's willingness to help survivors on the other side of the LoC, there are reports of desperate conditions in villages around Uri. For example the hamlet of Gawalan - 15kms from Uri - received no aid so far. Same situation in nearby villages that are not very accessible.
There are reports that JKLF is doing relief work in Uri and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik is stationed in Uri for 4 days to oversee relief operations by his group. But what about the above hamlets? Who's taking care of them?
Meanwhile, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator said that "the global emergency relief system is overstretched, needs coordination and has less than half the funds needed". He said that nations need to draw their own national disaster plans to avoid delays. Some Himalayan communities will likely have to wait 2-3 weeks before they receive aid. The delay in aid is causing frustation resulting in attacks on relief personnel and among survivors.
Earlier, relief efforts were hampered by torrential rains. The weather has cleared up now allowing movement of helicopters delivering aid.
There is a serious threat of epidemic disease disaster during rotting remains and water-borne diseases. Also a huge problem is non-treatment of the injured. The coming winter is another big worry. Even pregnant women are being forced to sleep in the open.
The town of Uri has started receiving aid in trucks and military transporters. However, this aid cannot reach the town of Bagh just 4 kms away and on the other side of the LoC because of political reasons. Pakistani authorities have allegedly ruled out allowing Indian troops to carry out relief works in P.A.K. Even so, there is one incident reported by a couple of sources that Indian soldiers crossing over to P.A.K. to retrieve Pakistani guards stuck in a bunker. It was later clarified that Indian soldiers only crossed over unarmed to hand over some tools. In other news, six Indian soldiers carrying aid on foot to a village near the Kashmiri town of Tandgar have been killed in a landslide.
Even while there are reports of aid reaching the town of Uri and the military's willingness to help survivors on the other side of the LoC, there are reports of desperate conditions in villages around Uri. For example the hamlet of Gawalan - 15kms from Uri - received no aid so far. Same situation in nearby villages that are not very accessible.
There are reports that JKLF is doing relief work in Uri and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik is stationed in Uri for 4 days to oversee relief operations by his group. But what about the above hamlets? Who's taking care of them?
Meanwhile, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator said that "the global emergency relief system is overstretched, needs coordination and has less than half the funds needed". He said that nations need to draw their own national disaster plans to avoid delays. Some Himalayan communities will likely have to wait 2-3 weeks before they receive aid. The delay in aid is causing frustation resulting in attacks on relief personnel and among survivors.
Earlier, relief efforts were hampered by torrential rains. The weather has cleared up now allowing movement of helicopters delivering aid.
There is a serious threat of epidemic disease disaster during rotting remains and water-borne diseases. Also a huge problem is non-treatment of the injured. The coming winter is another big worry. Even pregnant women are being forced to sleep in the open.
Message from Uma regarding the effort being undertaken
With respect to Task No. 3 (what we can ask the two govts), my very preliminary thoughts are below, in no particular order.
(1) Long-term commitments to set up model schools for children and adults. Education should foster humanitarian values and local, rational approaches problem-solving, as being most efficient, and also compatible with all faiths locally followed.
(2) Governments should emphasize the creation of livelihoods that are environmentally and economically sustainable. This would foster economic growth and also counter extremism.
(3) Reconstruction plans at local levels should be done with people's participation as far as possible, keeping in mind the needs of men, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, whether poor or rich. Redevelopment should aim not to reproduce inequalities and injustices that may have been prevalent before the earthquake.
(4) I don't know if we can reasonably demand that specialized medical facilities be shared in the region by India and Pakistan. To my admittedly ill-informed self, it seems that paramedical and primary health care training may be a need in the smaller towns and villages on both sides of the border. Also, AFP has reported a UN spokesperson as saying 1000 hospitals were "completely destroyed" in Pakistan, and many doctors and nurses were killed or injured, in the EQ.
(5) Wide accessibility to telecommunications should be built into redevelopment plan.
(6) Again, I don't how if this is a reasonable (from govt' point of view) demand, but we could ask that redevelopment of the region be done with a view to minimizing militarization. It is difficult for towns with a constant heavy military presence to live a normal, peaceful, and dignified existence.
(7) Both governments should foster the growth of local non-profit and volunteer organizations engaged in economic development, by creating funds for and providing encouragement to such start-up groups, and collaborating with existing groups to rebuild lives. Perhaps a joint fund can be created for the Kashmir region by the govts of India and Pakistan.
Uma Asher
PSU , currently in India
(1) Long-term commitments to set up model schools for children and adults. Education should foster humanitarian values and local, rational approaches problem-solving, as being most efficient, and also compatible with all faiths locally followed.
(2) Governments should emphasize the creation of livelihoods that are environmentally and economically sustainable. This would foster economic growth and also counter extremism.
(3) Reconstruction plans at local levels should be done with people's participation as far as possible, keeping in mind the needs of men, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, whether poor or rich. Redevelopment should aim not to reproduce inequalities and injustices that may have been prevalent before the earthquake.
(4) I don't know if we can reasonably demand that specialized medical facilities be shared in the region by India and Pakistan. To my admittedly ill-informed self, it seems that paramedical and primary health care training may be a need in the smaller towns and villages on both sides of the border. Also, AFP has reported a UN spokesperson as saying 1000 hospitals were "completely destroyed" in Pakistan, and many doctors and nurses were killed or injured, in the EQ.
(5) Wide accessibility to telecommunications should be built into redevelopment plan.
(6) Again, I don't how if this is a reasonable (from govt' point of view) demand, but we could ask that redevelopment of the region be done with a view to minimizing militarization. It is difficult for towns with a constant heavy military presence to live a normal, peaceful, and dignified existence.
(7) Both governments should foster the growth of local non-profit and volunteer organizations engaged in economic development, by creating funds for and providing encouragement to such start-up groups, and collaborating with existing groups to rebuild lives. Perhaps a joint fund can be created for the Kashmir region by the govts of India and Pakistan.
Uma Asher
PSU , currently in India
Notes on damage in India
Wikipedia Update
Quake aftermath: Overview - Oct 12th
Impact: The towns of Kupwara, Uri and Tangdar are the worst affected, although the fate of an estimated 10,000 people stranded in remote villages remains unknown. Landslides have blocked the key highway that connects Srinagar to the rest of India. Officials say 5,000 homes and buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Toll: The death toll stands at 1,300, with several thousand people injured, according to officials.
...
Only 5,000 of the required 15,000 tents have arrived, however, and some survivors say they have received nothing. Rescue efforts and aid deliveries have been hindered by bad weather, logistical problems and sporadic militant attacks, officials say.
Valley toll crosses 1300 - Greater Kashmir - Oct 11th
... 350 people have died in the quake in another worst-hit district of Kupwara, bordering the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK). More than 800 others are missing after the quake.
Govt’s ‘war footing measures’ out of step in Karnah - Greater Kashmir - Oct 11th
... The quake left 90 percent of total 350 houses unlivable in Kandi. Most of the families assembled makeshift tents from polythene sheets, bits of cloth, and beams in their fields.
...
Devastation is near complete in Tanghdar, a vast swathe of rugged terrain. From Nachian to Seemari and from Tandhdar to the still inaccessible hamlets near Line of Control, more than 50000 people inhabiting the area have been affected.
...
In Chanipora Payeen, nearly 400 houses collapsed. ... The principal of Biscoe School on Sunday distributed some blankets and medicines.
...
Most residents complain that government officials stop at Tanghdar and don’t proceed forward. “We haven’t seen any group making inquiries about the damage, they stop at Tanghdar,” said Khalil Ullah of Chamkote. In Kandi, where 13 people died and all the houses were damaged, people say the areas that lie further down are most affected. They include Pinglaharidal, Badarkote, Abkote, Dringla and tiny inaccessible hamlets of Reala, Murichan, Beadi.
Besides, the residents complained that whatever relief material reached Tanghdar, it has been arbitrarily distributed. People also feared that distribution of relief material might suffer because of Congress-NC political rivalry and Pahari-Gujjar community divide fuelled by politicians.
Tangdhar quake victims await relief supplies -NDTV - Oct 11th
...
This situation is with almost every family in Tangdhar with most of them spending the nights under the open sky. The local administration says it needs 7,000 tents for quake-affected families and so far they have received only 200.
United in Tragedy: Srinagar locals help quake victims - NDTV - Oct 12th
...
In this moment of unimaginable grief and tragedy, there has been a spontaneous outpouring of help from those living in places like Srinagar who realise just how lucky they are that they are alive.
But the urgent question now is to see that this relief actually reaches those who need it most and that aid pouring in from across the country and the world does not get hampered or delayed by red tape and bureaucracy.
Reporter's Log - BBC - Check every day (updated by reporters on the field)
...
More than 350 people have died in and around the town of Tangdar, about 175km north of Indian Kashmir's summer capital, Srinagar, making this region the worst affected by Saturday's earthquake on this side of Kashmir. (Oct 10th)
The Kashmir Earthquake: A Father's Grief - Time Asia
...
Thirty-six hours after the disaster, the authorities in Uri say they have counted 400 dead and 3,000 injured in their township alone. They acknowledge that that is a fraction of the likely final toll. Uri Deputy Commissioner Aiyaz Kakroo says 113,000 people live in 95 villages around Uri and 75 of those have suffered “90% damage,” by which he means houses damaged beyond being inhabitable, or totally destroyed. “We have fifteen to twenty thousand damaged homes,” he says. “We need 50,000 blankets and 15,000 tents. So far we have two to three thousand blankets and a few hundred tents."
Kashmir Aftershocks: The Plight of the Living—and the Dead - Time Asia
...
"I buried 27 people yesterday," says Tawoos. He is pale with lack of sleep and bitterness, and has to take frequent rests. He tells us there are 317 dead in Kamal Kote, a village of perhaps 1,000."
...
After a couple of hours, we round the final spur and Kamal Kote is before us. A valley of yellow rice terraces juts out over the Jhelum valley below and runs like a scale to the base of precipitous peaks above us. Cicadas are singing in the golden sunset. There are cedars and apple trees and clusters of big houses with handsome shiny metal roofs. But something's not right. There are deep cracks on the path we're on. Dust is swirling around the mountainsides above us. And a closer look at what we thought were houses reveals they're shiny metal roofs sitting at crazy angles on piles of rocks. The clusters are where roofs have fallen on top of each other into ravines, like a tangle of crashed silver kites.
Quake aftermath: Overview - Oct 12th
Impact: The towns of Kupwara, Uri and Tangdar are the worst affected, although the fate of an estimated 10,000 people stranded in remote villages remains unknown. Landslides have blocked the key highway that connects Srinagar to the rest of India. Officials say 5,000 homes and buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Toll: The death toll stands at 1,300, with several thousand people injured, according to officials.
...
Only 5,000 of the required 15,000 tents have arrived, however, and some survivors say they have received nothing. Rescue efforts and aid deliveries have been hindered by bad weather, logistical problems and sporadic militant attacks, officials say.
Valley toll crosses 1300 - Greater Kashmir - Oct 11th
... 350 people have died in the quake in another worst-hit district of Kupwara, bordering the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK). More than 800 others are missing after the quake.
Govt’s ‘war footing measures’ out of step in Karnah - Greater Kashmir - Oct 11th
... The quake left 90 percent of total 350 houses unlivable in Kandi. Most of the families assembled makeshift tents from polythene sheets, bits of cloth, and beams in their fields.
...
Devastation is near complete in Tanghdar, a vast swathe of rugged terrain. From Nachian to Seemari and from Tandhdar to the still inaccessible hamlets near Line of Control, more than 50000 people inhabiting the area have been affected.
...
In Chanipora Payeen, nearly 400 houses collapsed. ... The principal of Biscoe School on Sunday distributed some blankets and medicines.
...
Most residents complain that government officials stop at Tanghdar and don’t proceed forward. “We haven’t seen any group making inquiries about the damage, they stop at Tanghdar,” said Khalil Ullah of Chamkote. In Kandi, where 13 people died and all the houses were damaged, people say the areas that lie further down are most affected. They include Pinglaharidal, Badarkote, Abkote, Dringla and tiny inaccessible hamlets of Reala, Murichan, Beadi.
Besides, the residents complained that whatever relief material reached Tanghdar, it has been arbitrarily distributed. People also feared that distribution of relief material might suffer because of Congress-NC political rivalry and Pahari-Gujjar community divide fuelled by politicians.
Tangdhar quake victims await relief supplies -NDTV - Oct 11th
...
This situation is with almost every family in Tangdhar with most of them spending the nights under the open sky. The local administration says it needs 7,000 tents for quake-affected families and so far they have received only 200.
United in Tragedy: Srinagar locals help quake victims - NDTV - Oct 12th
...
In this moment of unimaginable grief and tragedy, there has been a spontaneous outpouring of help from those living in places like Srinagar who realise just how lucky they are that they are alive.
But the urgent question now is to see that this relief actually reaches those who need it most and that aid pouring in from across the country and the world does not get hampered or delayed by red tape and bureaucracy.
Reporter's Log - BBC - Check every day (updated by reporters on the field)
...
More than 350 people have died in and around the town of Tangdar, about 175km north of Indian Kashmir's summer capital, Srinagar, making this region the worst affected by Saturday's earthquake on this side of Kashmir. (Oct 10th)
The Kashmir Earthquake: A Father's Grief - Time Asia
...
Thirty-six hours after the disaster, the authorities in Uri say they have counted 400 dead and 3,000 injured in their township alone. They acknowledge that that is a fraction of the likely final toll. Uri Deputy Commissioner Aiyaz Kakroo says 113,000 people live in 95 villages around Uri and 75 of those have suffered “90% damage,” by which he means houses damaged beyond being inhabitable, or totally destroyed. “We have fifteen to twenty thousand damaged homes,” he says. “We need 50,000 blankets and 15,000 tents. So far we have two to three thousand blankets and a few hundred tents."
Kashmir Aftershocks: The Plight of the Living—and the Dead - Time Asia
...
"I buried 27 people yesterday," says Tawoos. He is pale with lack of sleep and bitterness, and has to take frequent rests. He tells us there are 317 dead in Kamal Kote, a village of perhaps 1,000."
...
After a couple of hours, we round the final spur and Kamal Kote is before us. A valley of yellow rice terraces juts out over the Jhelum valley below and runs like a scale to the base of precipitous peaks above us. Cicadas are singing in the golden sunset. There are cedars and apple trees and clusters of big houses with handsome shiny metal roofs. But something's not right. There are deep cracks on the path we're on. Dust is swirling around the mountainsides above us. And a closer look at what we thought were houses reveals they're shiny metal roofs sitting at crazy angles on piles of rocks. The clusters are where roofs have fallen on top of each other into ravines, like a tangle of crashed silver kites.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Kashmir quake : Influencing the roles of the Indian and Pakistani government
This is an appeal for your volunteering time over the next few days and weeks, the time committment reducing over time. I am sending it to you with the hope that you will be able to contribute to this effort. If you wont be able to be part of the team, please do let me know, no offence taken. :-)
BACKGROUND
As the extent of damage from the earthquake in Kashmir is unfolding, both AID and Asha's coordinating bodies are assessing the contacts and connections we have within the communities, looking at how the organizations should respond to the situation. This is an appeal for an initiative that cuts across both organizations, and will hopefully spread across other orgs too.
In Kashmir, as has come to be expected of them, the babus on both sides are dragging their feet on many fronts. Given that the entire area that has experienced the brunt of the earthquake is a militarized zone, and has been so for the past few decades, the strength and capacity of civil society institutions are highly weekend - both by the caues for the militarization, and as an effect of it. So if the intent and energy of relief efforts are to translated effectively to succor for the affected communities, the two establishments have to cooperate and work together.
As Lalita Ramdas has said, "This is truly a moment for all of us who are engaged in the larger movement for Peace in the region, to use every means at our disposal, to place this as highest priority, to put the pressure on our governments jointly and powerfully - to stop playing games and to seriously come to grips with doing what is needed. This might mean - teams of us who are in the capitals of both countries, to immediately seek appointments with the top people - with a common message and request - based as far as possible on accurate information from the ground - where there are enough and more to provide the inputs."
TASKS ON HAND
Towards this end, please consider contributing a few hours over the next few days towards one of the following tasks.
1. Collecting information on what exactly are the stands of the governments
2. Researching information (as realistic as possible) about the extent of damage in particular areas
3. Formulating a statement on what it is that we want the governments to do
4. Drafting an appeal for a signature campaign
5. Drafting the script for telephonic conversations with officials
6. Preparing a list of offices and officials that these efforts should be directed towards
7. Preparing a press release
8. Contacting other civil society organizations and gathering support for the effort
9. Last, but by no means the least, coordinating the effort
TIME ESTIMATE
In my estimation, we will need a team of 4 to 5 (atleast) volunteers working 4 to 5 hours each over tonight and tomorrow. After the initial push, we can scale back to an hour or so each, or even pass on the baton (hopefully).
LAST SENTENCE
Please do reply at the earliest as time is a critical factor. And if you feel that I have missed something, please do add to the list.
+ dwiji.
Minneapolis.
As the extent of damage from the earthquake in Kashmir is unfolding, both AID and Asha's coordinating bodies are assessing the contacts and connections we have within the communities, looking at how the organizations should respond to the situation. This is an appeal for an initiative that cuts across both organizations, and will hopefully spread across other orgs too.
In Kashmir, as has come to be expected of them, the babus on both sides are dragging their feet on many fronts. Given that the entire area that has experienced the brunt of the earthquake is a militarized zone, and has been so for the past few decades, the strength and capacity of civil society institutions are highly weekend - both by the caues for the militarization, and as an effect of it. So if the intent and energy of relief efforts are to translated effectively to succor for the affected communities, the two establishments have to cooperate and work together.
As Lalita Ramdas has said, "This is truly a moment for all of us who are engaged in the larger movement for Peace in the region, to use every means at our disposal, to place this as highest priority, to put the pressure on our governments jointly and powerfully - to stop playing games and to seriously come to grips with doing what is needed. This might mean - teams of us who are in the capitals of both countries, to immediately seek appointments with the top people - with a common message and request - based as far as possible on accurate information from the ground - where there are enough and more to provide the inputs."
TASKS ON HAND
Towards this end, please consider contributing a few hours over the next few days towards one of the following tasks.
1. Collecting information on what exactly are the stands of the governments
2. Researching information (as realistic as possible) about the extent of damage in particular areas
3. Formulating a statement on what it is that we want the governments to do
4. Drafting an appeal for a signature campaign
5. Drafting the script for telephonic conversations with officials
6. Preparing a list of offices and officials that these efforts should be directed towards
7. Preparing a press release
8. Contacting other civil society organizations and gathering support for the effort
9. Last, but by no means the least, coordinating the effort
TIME ESTIMATE
In my estimation, we will need a team of 4 to 5 (atleast) volunteers working 4 to 5 hours each over tonight and tomorrow. After the initial push, we can scale back to an hour or so each, or even pass on the baton (hopefully).
LAST SENTENCE
Please do reply at the earliest as time is a critical factor. And if you feel that I have missed something, please do add to the list.
+ dwiji.
Minneapolis.
