Background
Following the Earthquake in districts of Latur and Osmanabad in the State of Maharashtra in India in late 1993, The India Earthquake Relief Fund was created to raise funds created by Dr.Bhausaheb Ubale, his friends and community leaders to raise funds to help the earthquake victims. For management of that fund the India Earthquake Relief Trust was registered . Subsequently, project preparation and management task was undertaken by the International Centre for Eradication of Poverty. Similarly, a partnerships with Anarde Foundation and Swami Narayan Samaj were established to work on this project.
The International Centre for Eradication of Poverty as project management arm of the Indian Earthquake Relief Trust was involved in providing assistance in all phases such as Fund raising, Relief, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation without any fees.
RELIEF Phase
Immediately after the Earthquake, the Trust airlifted about half million dollars worth of cloths and materials to assist relief operation and provided financial assistance to a local organization to help Orphans.
In the early 1994, Dr.Ubale , coordinator of the Trust and President of International Centre for Eradication of Poverty paid visit to the
earthquake affected area
Having done the need analysis in consultation with stakeholders , it was decided that our efforts should not be charity driven.
Instead, they were based on the value of effective self-help (i.e. empowerment). Hence, it was decided that our resources should be concentrated on empowerment in rehabilitation phase for sustainability and removal of poverty.
As a part of reconstruction efforts, the Trust built a school "Canadian School" -- in Osmanabad district as permanent landmark of Canadian donation. It was built in cooperation with Swami Narayan Samaj and the villagers.
REHABILITATION
The major thrust of Centre and Trust's work was to create sustainable development, especially rehabilitation of earthquake victims by creating income-generating activities for them. In this connection, a working relationship was established with ANaRDe Foundation in India to undertake fieldwork in the area of rehabilitation. The International Centre for Eradication of Poverty monitored the progress on monthly basis. Through our combined efforts and the dedicated staff of ANaRDe Foundation- both at Latur office and elsewhere and backed by its seventeen years field experience- we have been very successful in providing income generating activities through microcredit.
REBUILDING ECONOMIC LIFE
Gober gas
Appropriate technology: use of fan to separate grains.
INCOME GENERATION THROUGH MICROCREDIT
As stated earlier, he have been very successful in providing income generating activities to 9109 beneficiaries through microcredit , training and marketing assistance from 1995 to 1997. as shown under:
| Year | Total Number of Beneficiaries | Total Amount of Benefits (credits, grants, donations) in Canadian Dollars |
| 1995 | 1554 | $221,072.00 |
| 1996 | 3382 | $509,126.00 |
| 1997 | 4173 | $499,586.00 |
| Total = 9109 | $1,229,784.00 |
The areas of self-employment activities include:
Agriculture
Crop Loan, Bullocks and Carts, Irrigation Wells, Motor/Pipeline,
Submersible Pumps, Housing
Animal Husbandry
Goat Units, Buffaloes, Milk Cows, Poultry, Sheep Project
Self-employment /Business/Micro-enterprises
Sewing Machines, Hotel/Dhaba (Roadside Diner) Grocery Shop,
Bicycle Shop, Auto Rickshaws, Tailoring Shop, Pan Shop, Bangle
Shop, Radio Repair Shop, Carpentry Shop, Cloth Shop,
Photocopying Shop, Flour Mill, Vegetable Shop, Welding/
Fabrication Shop, Automobile Garage, Building Material Shop,
Toy Shop, Broom Shop, Fruit Stall, Jeep and Taxi Service, Tractor,
Chili Store
Education/Training
Computer Training, Tailoring Classes, Motor Driving, Conductor Training
Other Projects
The integration and implementation of other government schemes such as providing land to landless people, employment and self-employment schemes into its own programs.
Since 1998, our activities in that area are not confined to the earthquake victims but the Latur office has also extended its activities to include other poor people in the area for income generation and other sustainable development activities.
Dr.Ubale speaking at Metro Town while Chief Justice Hon.McMurtry (centre) and renowned social worker and Broadcaster June Callwood listen.
CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS/ EDUCATION ON POVERTY ERADICATION
In order to create public awareness/education on eradication of poverty, the Centre has been organizing , public events, meetings, seminars , Conferences from time to time.
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY
In order to highlight poverty issues, the Centre has been organizing various functions on October 17, to commemorate the International Day for Eradication of Poverty-- day proclaimed by the United Nation --every year from 2000. In October 2000 it arranged a month long activities starting with a public meeting in Metro Hall with the Hon. Chief Justice of Ontario and June Callwood 0.C) well known Canadian author, broadcaster and social activist/worker as chief guests, and ending with International Conference on use of Communication and Information Technology (ICT) to eradicate poverty.
In October 17, 2001 it arranged Multi-Faith Prayer Meeting.
In 2002, a Consultative meeting was arranged involving policy makers, various government Agencies, community groups and foreign trained professionals to discuss problems faced by the latter.
In 2003, Information sharing session took place with Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) working in India
In 2004, A strategy meeting was arranged to discuss how to get business sector involved in poverty eradication with Honourable Roy McMurtry, Dr. Ubale, June Callwood
.