The earthquake in Gujarat that struck on 26th January, 2001 had wrecked havoc of proportions that are unimaginable. 

Action India chaired by Nafisa Ali visited large parts of Gujarat to get a first hand feel of the damage and the possible areas of intervention. Realizing the imperative need for immediate relief in the shelter sector, Action India intuitively built a few structures of split bamboo & polythene sheets in a village called Shikhra. The response was overwhelming and people chose to move onto these shelters as opposed to the various other solutions that were being demonstrated.