International response to quake overwhelming

According to K C Koshi, who is coordinating foreign relief, the Israeli planes have brought mobile hospitals and operation theatres besides tonnes of life-saving drugs. The hospital will have everything from operation tables to medicines to surgical instruments to implants required for orthopaedic injuries.

A French Air Force C135 aircraft has reached Ahmedabad with a 44-member medical crew carrying nine tonne material, including a field hospital and emergency food stuff. Some French NGOs `Telecom Without Borders’ and `Firemen Without Borders’ have also been despatched. The telecom team specialises in management of emergency communication networks. Another NGO, with expertise in searching missing people, is already at work in Bhuj with seven sniffer dogs.

A three-member team of the German `Rapid Deployment Unit — Search and Rescue’ also arrived in Ahmedabad for additional assistance. They will reinforce a team of 27 German specialists who are already trying to locate and rescue victims buried under debris in Bhuj. The new team members carry additional chain-saws for cutting through concrete as well as hydraulic earth-moving equipment. The help is extended by the German Government THW (Technischeshilfswerk) a governmental disaster-relief organisation. As a first step, the German Government has also pledged about Rs 4 crore for relief.

With the help of the Finnish, Norwegian and German Red Cross, the Indian Red Cross Society has launched a major operation. The IRCS flew in an emergency response unit field hospital with a capacity of 350 beds at Bhuj. In addition, the IRCS with support from the Japanese Red Cross, is setting up a 20-bed hospital in the affected area. A 13-member Japanese team has arrived with 4.5 tonne of medical equipment together with support staff. This hospital will support emergency work done by the 350-bed hospital. Combined, these international federations have brought more than one lakh blankets donated by the British Red Cross, 22,000 tarpaulins and 600 tents. The Chinese Red Cross has handed over a cheque for $50,000.

As part of the relief supplies, the IRCS headquarters has already sent 35,000 blankets, 100 tents, sweaters, baby garments and quilts to Bhuj.

The Swiss flew in sniffer dogs which helped rescue at least 12 persons in Ahmedabad and innumerable others in Kutch.

Britain has flown in a team of 60 doctors who are trained to handle calamities along with rescue support staff, besides equipment.

Malaysia has sent a 25-member team of experts, while a 15-member Belgium team arrived with 30 tonnes medicines, food supplies and warm clothing.

Turkey, which sits on a seismic zone, has rushed in a team of experts along with a plane-load of relief supplies. Russia has sent rescue teams and cargo, while aircraft from Oman, Kuwait and France have landed with tonnes of medicines, blankets, tents and other essential supplies.

The French Government has decided to make a contribution of one million French francs to the ICRS.

An aircraft from Italy with generators, tents, blankets and water purifying equipment is expected within two days. Italy has also sent medicines worth $300,000, besides extending an emergency aid of $2,500,000.

Denmark has brought in a mobile medical unit and operation theatre.

Australia is sending funds to the UN to provide relief material.

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad domestic and international airports are choc-a-bloc with huge cargo and transport planes from around the world. According to Airports Authority of India officials, there were problems initially, but later the AAI created additional space for the aircraft.

In all, 21 aircraft have landed with relief material in the last two days.