Congressional Statements

Wexler Urges President Bush to Increase Disaster Aid to India

Press Release
February 2, 2001

Congressman Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to President Bush today urging him to provide additional aid to communities in India hardest hit by last weeks earthquake. Gujarat, India's second largest industrial state, was hit by a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale. The government of India estimates that over 50,000 people may have perished, thousands are injured, and many families in Gujarat are homeless.

"The United States must stand by India during this time of need." said Wexler on Thursday. "The level of destruction and devastation is unimaginable. We must immediately assist the people and government of India in their relief efforts."

Congressman Wexler is a Member of the House International Relations Committee and the House India Caucus.

Below is the text of the letter.

The Honorable George W. Bush
President, The United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20502

Dear President Bush:

On January 26, 2001, the Indian State of Gujarat was struck by a devastating earthquake that is estimated to have killed as many as 50,000 people, injured thousands more, and left countless families homeless and in fear for the lives due to additional aftershocks. I applaud your efforts to address this tragedy, but would urge you to provide additional humanitarian and financial assistance to the government of India to assist relief efforts and the more difficult task of rebuilding communities and lives throughout Gujarat.

As you know, the government of India and the international community are attempting to address the most difficult issues affecting the people of Gujarat. Unfortunately, even with international aid pouring into India, there remain thousands of citizens in Gujarat who lack adequate shelter, clean drinking water, food, and medical attention. Relief organizations and the Indian government have also expressed concern that disease may become rampant due to unsanitary conditions.

The United States should commit additional funding and resources through USAID and other U.S. based non-governmental organizations to address needs identified by the government of India, including medical equipment and supplies, mobile field surgical hospitals, potable water, sanitation facilities, food, and shelter. So far, our aid package, which totals over $5 million includes water purification units, water containers, and generators that are essential to address the lack of clean drinking water. I was also encouraged to hear that the U.S. military will assist the Indian government in airlifting supplies to areas hardest hit by the quake.

In the long term, the United States must make an ironclad commitment to assist India in her rebuilding efforts. It is estimated that the earthquake has caused over $5.5 billion in overall damage. India's Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee has asked for a $1.3 billion loan from the World Bank and additional economic assistance from the Asian Development Bank for reconstruction efforts. We urge you to support and expedite India's request for loans from these two international financial institutions. Further, I urge your Administration to set up a special India Relief Task Force based out of the United States Agency for International Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance to assess overall damage in Gujarat, and recommend appropriate steps for the United States to take to assist India's reconstruction efforts.

Mr. President, the United States must stand in solidarity with the people of India in their time of need. Over the past several years, our nation's relations with India have been strengthened through to our mutual commitment to democracy and respect for human rights. A strong response to this crisis will send a positive signal to the people of India that the United States cares about the health and well-being of our strongest and most important ally in South Asia.

Thank you for assistance and attention to this important matter. I look forward to assisting you and your Administration as you address this terrible tragedy.

With warm regards,
Robert Wexler