Hitesh Mehta remembers the exact time he learned about the earthquake that devastated his homeland of India:
11:30 p.m. Friday night. Jan. 26.
“I lost 18 relatives of mine,” said the North Bergen resident. “They were sleeping.”
Early reports suggested a few hundred casualties. But when Mehta saw that the quake had reached a Richter Scale magnitude of 7.9, he realized the damage would be worse. Much worse.
“It’s rubble,” he said. “It’s a tragedy.”
The quake left more than 17,000 people dead, with the worst damage in life and property coming in the towns of Bhuj and Ahmadabad. Almost immediately, the Indian community in Hudson County mobilized to help the survivors.
What they need most is money, medicine and blankets, said Mehta and Jersey City doctor Vijaya Desai. “Right now we don’t need clothes,” she said. “Bags, blankets, medication. We still need money. With money you can get anything.”
Still, some groups are looking for crutches, wheelchairs and walkers. Desai is also looking to contract with groups to help make tents for those who have no homes to return to.
Help has also come from Sen. Jon Corzine, who donated $10,000 of his own money, and Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, who promoted the various organizations’ efforts recently, and has helped set up drop-off points in that city for people looking to donate.
“Our prayers are with the victims and their families of this horrific disaster,” said Schundler.
But those like Mehta, who is the area coordinator for the India Development and Relief Fund, a California-based organization, say that more awareness is needed.
“It will take 10 to 15 years to rehabilitate to where they are before,” he said. “If we help, it will take seven to 10 years.”
While many have mobilized and relief efforts have been mounted by hundreds of organizations, Mehta said small donations from individuals make the difference.
“We need $10, $5, 50 cents, whatever,” he said. “Fifty cents plus 50 cents will grow to a dollar, then $10,000.” The First Union Bank financial specialist sees the effort breaking down into three distinct phases: rescue, relief and rehabilitation. The effort is now transitioning from rescue to relief.
Desai, a member of the Garden State Indian Association and a pediatrician, said she has been in contact with doctors across the country.
Others involved in the relief effort include members of the Jersey City Indian community like Mono Sen, who traveled to India, Vinod Kothari and Manoj Kumar Patel.
Desai has been grateful for the outpouring.
“Everybody’s helping,” she said. “We’ve got such a good response. They’ve just opened up their hearts to us.”
How to help
To send checks
India Development and Relief Fund c/o
Hitesh Mehta
1500 64th St.
North Bergen, NJ 07047
Phone: Call Mehta at 868-2524 or 840-5470.
Checks payable to: India Development and Relief Fund
Dr. Vijaya Desai
M.D.P.A. F.A.A.P.
Pediatrics
145 St. Pauls Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 792-4286
Checks payable to: Garden State Indian Association
Material goods can be received at the following locations:
Jersey City Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Caven Point Complex
1 Chapel Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Police Departments:
Jersey City Police Headquarters
8 Erie Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
JCPD, North District
282 Central Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07306
JCPD, East District
207 Seventh Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
JCPD, South District
191 Bergen Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
JCPD, West District
576 Communipaw Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Jersey City fire departments located at the following addresses:
465 Marin Ave.
160 Grand St.
355 Newark Ave.
283 Halladay St.
152 Linden Ave.
2 Bergen Ave.
468 Ocean Ave.
715 Summit Ave.
666 Summit Ave.
152Lincoln St.
46 Irving St.
218 Central Ave.
697 Bergen Ave.
200 Sip Ave.
110 Boyd Ave.
582 Communipaw Ave.
St. Peter’s College:
Patricia Ryan
Director of Residence Life
Saint Peter’s College
2624 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 915-9071
Office will accept donations Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For more information, call Jersey City’s Office of Constituent Affairs at 547-4900 or Carol Green at the Jersey City Medical Center at 915-2042.