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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced a City-led effort to aid earthquake victims in India and called on New Yorkers to make financial contributions to assist these measures. Friday's devastating earthquake - which registered 7.9 on the Richter scale - was the worst natural disaster to strike India in over fifty years, leaving an estimated 20,000 people dead and another 700,000 homeless. Government officials estimate the total material damage at over 5.5 billion dollars, with daily production losses adding to that total.
"The people of New York have always come to the aid of those in need, which is why I feel confident in calling upon their generosity once again to assist the many victims of this terrible disaster," Mayor Giuliani said. "I urge every New Yorker to make a financial contribution to the City's effort and show the world the humanitarian spirit of our City. I would also like to thank Deputy Mayor Washington, Consul General Tripathi, and all those assembled here today for their assistance in quickly coordinating this relief effort in the face of such widespread devastation."
Consul General of India Shashi Tripathi said, "We appreciate that New York City is rallying relief efforts for devastated Gujurat. We know our friends will come through for us."
The Mayor enlisted several City agencies' support to assist in providing financial, material, and logistical support. The Mayor's Community Assistance Unit (CAU) and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have been integral in the planning of the operation.
The City is working with the public, private and non-profit sectors to coordinate emergency relief efforts and ensure the best use of resources. A partnership was formed with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, which is coordinating medical assistance with the Red Cross and other medical relief organizations. The Mayor thanked Home Depot for their donation of gasoline generators, as well as Air India, British Airways, and Lufthansa for their assistance in shipping donations to India.
Individuals and organizations who wish to make monetary contributions can make checks and money orders payable to the Friends of India 2001 and mail donations to the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, 51 Chambers Street, Room 630, New York, NY 10007. For additional information on how to make financial contributions or material donations, contact the Friends of India 2001 hotline at 1-866-242-6200 (toll free for all five boroughs, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Southern Putnam, Southern Rockland, and Westchester counties) or 212-788-2340. These donations will be given directly to the Consulate of India to assist in relief efforts.
The Mayor was joined in his appeal by leaders of New York's Indian community, including Consul General Tripathi; Bobby Kumar, Chairman of the Board of Nassau University Medical Center; Dr. Dayan Naik, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; and Buildings Commissioner Satish Babbar. City officials joining the Mayor included Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington; CAU Commissioner Rosemarie O'Keefe, OEM Director Richard Sheirer; and UN, Consular Corps and Protocol Commissioner Irene Halligan.