The quake, centered in the arid western state of Gujarat, was felt across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Officials said more than 2,000 people were injured - and that the numbers of both the dead and injured would surely rise. Establishment of the fund was announced by Jack Shakely, president of the California Community Foundation. The fund, Shakely said, will help finance the purchase of emergency equipment and construction materials that will be needed in the early stages of rebuilding and long-term recovery over the next few weeks. CA 90071.Contributions can also be made online here.
Donations are fully tax-deductible during the current tax year.
Shakely emphasized that the foundation intends to collect money contributions only and will not accept goods, including canned food, since the cost of transporting such items from Los Angeles to the affected areas of western India is likely to exceed the cost of purchasing equivalent materials in the region. The greatest need, Shakely said, is for cash that can be used for reconstruction purposes identified as most critical by local relief officials and agencies. The Red Cross and other emergency relief agencies are best equipped to address the critical short-term needs of temporary shelter and feeding the homeless. We intend to help facilitate the next phase of response to the damage caused by the earthquake, which will be critical for longer-term recovery. The California Community Foundation announced today the formation of the Salvadoran Earthquake Relief Fund, which will collect cash in Southern California to aid in rebuilding efforts in El Salvador, where the death toll has risen above 600 in the wake of Saturday's magnitude 7.6 quake.