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South Assam has been affected by a devastating and unprecedented flood. The enormity and the severity of the floods have resulted in huge loss of human habitat and inflicted massive damages to many schools. Silchar city and various places of the Cachar district have been going through unspeakable human tragedy and crisis owing to the severe floods for the last 15 days throwing human life completely out of gear.

Many schools, run by Vidya Bharti, have been fully or partially destroyed.

The extent of damage to such schools is presented below:

• No. of schools affected: 20
• No. of students affected: 5000 (approx.)
• Damage & Destruction: School Buildings & Infrastructure, Computers, furniture & equipment, books & copies, bags, uniforms, shoes etc.
• Estimated loss: Rs. 300.00 Lakhs (Rupees 30 million)
• Fund needed for each school: Rs 10-50 Lakhs (Rupees 1-5 million)

Estimated Cost for reconstruction and reviving of schools

• Infrastructure repair: Rs. 150.00 Lakhs (Rupees 15 million)
• Furniture & Equipment: Rs. 85.00 Lakhs (Rupees 8.5 million)
• Computers & Peripherals: Rs. 30.00 Lakhs (Rupees three million)
• Books & stationeries: Rs. 25.00 Lakhs (Rupees 2.5 million)
• Uniforms, Shoes etc: Rs. 10.00 lakhs (Rupees one million)

About HAI:

HAI is an Indian charity established in 2016 to work across India on the issues of disaster management, while also striving to work outside India primarily on South-South Cooperation. In a short span of time, HAI has established its credibility within India and globally as a reputed and accountable humanitarian organisation. HAI has been working in Assam since 2016. HAI will collaborate with Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sansthan for rebuilding, repairing and renovation of schools.

About Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sansthan:

Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan, one of the largest organisations in India, is providing value-based quality education since 1952. Shiksha Vikash Parishad (SVP), Dakshin Assam Pranta is the state-level committee of the Vidya Bharati in the South Assam, comprising the districts of Cachar, Dima Hasao, Hailakandi & Karimganj including a part of Hojai district. SVP has been operating 44 schools (ME/High/HS School) in the name of Saraswati Vidya Mandir/ Sishu Niketans for more than 25 years.

Floods are an almost annual phenomenon in the state of Assam. This year, incessant pre-monsoon rains and landslides have caused havoc across the state and affected 31 districts. The district Nagaon is amongst the worst affected, where 226 villages are badly affected. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulleting, as of 21 May 2022, 339,427 people are badly affected in the district. Heavy inundation has caused crop loss in 14263.87 hectares of land. 110 relief camps have been set up in the district to accommodate 16,349 displaced people, while many more are spending nights under the open sky. Over 100,000 animals have also been affected.

While a detailed assessment has yet be carried out to ascertain the extent of damage to lives, livelihoods and properties, which would be done by the state and humanitarian organisations once the water recedes, the ASDMA, through a SoP, has asked humanitarian agencies to provide the following relief items to the overwhelmed population:

1. Dry Ration / food
2. Sanitary napkin
3. Clothes (new)
4. Baby food
5. Sealed packaged drinking water
6. Utensils (new)
7. Sanitary supplies / Hygiene kit (soap, bucket, mug, toothpaste etc.)
8. Baby Diapers
9. Halogen (Chlorine tablets)

10. First Aid box
11. Bleaching powder
12. Other essential commodities for immediate relief of the affected people like mosquito nets, mosquito coils, tents, candles, matchboxes, lamps, torchlight, biscuits etc.

HAI’s Response Plan

HAI has a presence in the state through its member organisations NEADS and AGUP. Our first situation report was published by ReliefWeb on 18 May 2022. HAI is preparing to start providing lifesaving relief support primarily to the displaced population. HAI is also preparing for a detailed assessment (using technology and conventional methods) to determine the interventions under-recovery and rehabilitation phases.

A small donation from you will help us reach out to more people with food and water and meet other necessities.

Humanitarian Aid International (HAI) is constantly assessing the situation through its local member Cosmic Community Centre in Kerala. The current situation is summarised below:

The current situation

Kerala is witnessing high-intensity floods due to the incessant rains over the past few days. Residents are cut off in parts of the coastal state of Kerala as the rain started to intensify from late Friday, 15th October 2021. As per the authorities, the worst-affected areas are Kottayam and Idukki, which received 164.5 millimetres and 305.5 mm of rainfall, respectively, since Saturday morning. The heavy rains triggered landslides and swelled many rivers across the state. Roads are swept away, houses are damaged and trees uprooted. Several villages in hilly areas are cut off. At least 26 people have died in landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains in south-western India. Five Children among are dead. There are fears that the death toll could rise further as many people are missing. Eleven bodies have been found so far in Idukki district and another fourteen in Kottayam district and thousands of people have been evacuated and at least 100 relief camps have been set up. Here is the video showing the flash flood barrelling into the town of Erattupetta in southern Kerala and another clip showing a house disappearing into a river that overflowed into its backyard shows widespread destruction in Kerala.

Government Response in the current situation in flood affected areas

Here are the pr

• At least 26 people have died due to rain-related incidents in Kerala, according to news agency AFP. Some 11 bodies have been found so far in Idukki district and another 14 in Kottayam district, officials told AFP, after the areas were hit by landslides and flash floods.
• Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected.
• The Indian Air Force has inducted its medium-lift helicopters for flood relief efforts in the rain-hit districts of Kerala.
• Fishing boats are being used to evacuate survivors trapped in Kollam and other coastal towns as sections of road have been swept away and trees uprooted
• National Disaster Relief Force and the armed forces are rehabilitating 2,000 people and shifting them to different relief camps, one dedicated to Covid-19 positive patient
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the intense spell of rainfall activity over Kerala and Mahe, South Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal likely to reduce from today (18^th October,2021)
• The Army, NDRF, police and the Fire Force along with the locals began rescue operations on Sunday morning at Koottickal in Kottayam district and Kokkayar in Idukki district, where over a dozen people have been reported missing due to landslides accompanied by heavy downpour. Search operations are underway for the missing persons in the debris.

HAI’s plan to save lives and restore normalcy with support from its local member partner (Prioritizing the unmet needs)

• Distribution of dry ration kits to at least 5000 families targeting women headed households, marginal and landless farmers and families with disabled members in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts
• Distribution of hygiene kits along with Covid-19 safety kits including sanitary napkins for women and adolescent girls, sanitizers, masks, gloves, toothpastes, soaps etc.
• Distribution of non-food items (NFIs) to 5,000 families including bed sheets, blankets, lunges for men etc.
• Early recovery plan based on assessment

Humanitarian Aid International (HAI) is constantly assessing the situation through its local member Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS). The current situation is summarised below.

Background

Heavy Monsoon rainfall in western India has caused widespread damage and triggered flash floods and several landslides in parts of Maharashtra state.

Incessant rain over the last 24 hours has led to devastating floods in parts of Maharashtra, with three districts flooded and two districts facing a flood-like situation. This is the heaviest spell of rain in the state in July in 40 years. The Navy has been roped in for rescue and evacuation. Several teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) too have been deployed for rescue operations in the Konkan region. While Ratnagiri, Raigad, Kolhapur districts are flooded, Sangli and Amravati are facing a flood-like situation.

A total of 100 bodies have been retrieved from the debris till now from landslides
in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Satara districts, 22 persons remain missing and 35 injured persons are under treatment.

More than 50 per cent area of the coastal town of Chiplun in Ratnagiri, around 250 km from Mumbai and having a population of over 70,000 has got submerged in flood waters.

Government Response in the current situation in flood affected areas

• On civil authorities’ request, 7 Naval Flood Rescue Teams from Mumbai deployed to Ratnagiri & Raigad districts. One Seaking 42C Helicopter from Mumbai deployed for aerial reconnaissance at Poladpur/Raigad
• NRDF teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations in flood-affected Kolhapur
• NDRF team is carrying out rescue, relief operations in flood-affected Maharashtra’s Chiplun. Four additional NDRF teams are expected to arrive to Kolhapur
• Village Disaster Management Plan Committee (VDMC) has been given the task of displacement process and ensure regular check-up of COVID patients, depending on the severity of the symptoms, special arrangements shall me made
• People to evacuate themselves to safer places within 12 hours from the areas which are marked as red zones

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HAI’s immediate plans to save lives and restore normalcy (Prioritizing the unmet needs)

• Establish at least three community kitchens serving cooked food to the displaced population
• Provide at least a week’s dry ration kit to the returnee population
• Hygiene kits along with Covid-19 safety kits including sanitary napkins for women and adolescent girls, sanitizers, masks, gloves, toothpastes, soaps etc
• Deployment of volunteers to ensure adherence with Covid Appropriate Behaviour among IDPS, within and outside relief camps
• Arranging feed and fodder for surviving cattle and small livestock (goats and sheep)
• Arranging drinking water and installing water filters in the existing handpumps to ensure safe drinking water
• Disinfecting using bleaching powder and sanitizing flood affected areas after the flood water recedes to avoid water borne diseases ASVSS trained trainer supporting flood affected people in Akiwat, Shirol Dist. Kolhapur, Maharashtra
• Setting up temporary isolation centres for people showing signs of Covid19
• Medicines for COVID-19 positive patients required which includes balm, steamer, Itchguard cream etc. for two weeks’ in 21 villages
• Providing interim shelter and NFI support to IDPs not getting shelter in relief camps with focus on nomadic population
• Carrying out drone-based post-disaster damage & loss assessment

Long term plans

• Livelihood restoration support to farmers and the families having lost their family members
• Community based disaster preparedness

Budget required for initial relief activities: INR 30 lakhs

Seventy-five Pak-Hindu refugee families reside in the new Signature Bridge refugee camp. They are living in the deplorable condition on the banks of Yamuna, lacking almost all basic amenities, including water, toilets and electricity. This camp is located in a forest, which makes them unsafe even during the daytime.

Since there are no toilets, everyone is compelled to go to the forest to relieve themselves. Women and children especially are exposed to personal safety risks and open defecation takes a toll on their health and the environment.

We have three main objectives to improve the situation for the refugee families:

• To install at least three water filtration units to ensure access to safe water for drinking and other purposes
• Construction of self-sustaining, eco-friendly nine ECOSAN toilets in the camp to ensure basic human dignity and reduce open-defecation and related health and hygiene risks
• To ensure dignified access to sufficient and safe WASH services

Your donation will help these refugee families live with dignity.

Lack of toilets put women folks at risk

Sonia ji shares “it’s very difficult and uncomfortable for the women and young girls of the camp to go to the forest area for open defecation. It is very scary since animals like snakes and insects are very common at the place where we live. Moreover, lack of privacy is another major concern. We would be relieved if separate toilets and bathing structures for the women in the camp can be constructed.”

Naina is a 14-year-old girl who shares that her experience of using a toilet, is not always easy.

“It is tough to look for safe spaces to relive ourselves. Sometimes men or young boys of the camp hamper our privacy. The most difficult times are during our menses. Lack of clean of water and safe spaces makes life difficult. We are in desperate needs of separate toilets and bathrooms for men and women.”

Lack of clean drinking water is causing health issues

Another major problem is the access to drinking water. There are only three functional hand pumps in the camp and this water is contaminated. Camp residents are compelled to use water from the hand pumps due to the lack of other options. Due to using the contaminated water, health and skin conditions are rampant especially among women and children. Skin diseases including scabies and kidney stones have become common health issues due to the poor quality of water.

Reshma shares that “There are a lot of problems for water and toilets. The water turns yellow but we still drink it like poison, we are helpless. We ourselves have to drink the yellow water and feed it to our children as well. Whatever help you want to give, just help us to get clean drinking water and proper toilets.”

Nirma’s husband had recently undergone an operation for kidney stones and fears that his health issues will become worse due to the poor water quality.

She shares that “The handpump water we drink is very dirty but we have to drink it out of helplessness. In five minutes, the water turns very yellow. My husband has had an operation for kidney stones but we only have this water to give him. I am scared that this could cause more kidney stone problems. There is no toilet here also. We have to go to the jungle instead. Three-four of us women gather and go together to relive ourselves. We get scared but what can we do? There are men, strangers around and it is a jungle area. We are helpless.”

HAI needs your support to help refugees access clean drinking water and hygienic sewage systems

Access to clean drinking water and a hygienic sewage system are human rights and basic human needs. The lack of functioning toilets and inadequate hygiene pose a major health risk especially for an already vulnerable population.

In order to address these problems, HAI is constructing nine, self-sustaining Ecosan toilets and installing three water filters to ensure basic human dignity and reduce health risks. Water filters will reduce the risk of water-borne diseases and allow for adequate clean water for consumption, cooking and hygiene requirements.

Objectives:

1. To install at least three water filtration units to ensure access to safe water for drinking and other purposes
2. Construction of self-sustaining, eco-friendly nine ECOSAN toilets in the camp to ensure basic human dignity and reduce open-defecation and related health and hygiene risks
3. To ensure dignified access to sufficient and safe WASH services

For more details on the WASH situation in the Signature Bridge refugee camps, please see HAI’s WASH Factsheet 2021 here.

At a time when many people are working from home to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus, there are frontline workers and caregivers from the government and non-government organisations, who have to be on duty to ensure our well-being. It is, therefore, our societal responsibility to ensure that their risk is minimised while performing their duties at such critical time.

These workers continue providing essential services such as immunization, supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, information dissemination about the risk of COVID-19, the vaccination schedule, scanning the potential cases and so on. HAI will reach out to remote and highly susceptible rural, tribal, urban slums, hilly and urban parts of the country.

It is experienced from the ground that often these workers had to conduct surveillance and tracking duty to curb the spread of COVID-19 without enough personal protective equipment which adds to psychological stress and fear of being exposed to high levels of infection risk, hence providing frontline workers with Covid care kits are some of the simple solutions that can potentially alleviate them from higher risk of exposure to the infection and provide much better service to their constituents.

While the COVID-19 preventive, mitigation and vaccination programmes are progressing across the country, India also faced back to back cyclones within a week’s time in the eastern and western coastal regions of the country. Immediately after the cyclone Tauktae causing devastation in the Western coastal states of India, cyclone Yaas devastated the Eastern coastal states of India. These situations are a looming humanitarian crisis in the region, especially in Kerala, which was impacted by heavy rainfalls and winds. The summer rains which intermittently started in March are unusually continuing and heavy damages have occurred to buildings and agricultural fields. While the entire population is affected on various scales, the worst affected by these hazards are the middle and lower-middle-class people, the petty shop owners and daily-wage laborers.

In Odisha, gusty winds, heavy rainfalls and the cyclone storm left behind trails of devastation and destruction at different parts of the states. Trees and electric poles were uprooted, low lying areas inundated while kutcha houses were badly damaged in costal districts of Balasore and Bhadrak. The devastation has made it even more difficult for frontline workers like ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, ANM and Gaon Kalyan Samiti Members to extend door-to-door COVID services due to communication and travel disruptions in the region.

With this purpose, HAI is launching this campaign to cover at least 1,000 such frontline workers across various states. These frontline workers will be provided with Covid Care Kits, consisting of a box of surgical grade masks, one box of surgical grade gloves, two bottles (500 ml) of approved sanitizer, two face shields, one high quality oximeter and one infrared thermometer to screen the suspect cases and refer them to appropriate level of care.

With a contribution of Rs 3,300, you can also ensure protecting one such humanitarian worker.

In addition to that, 1,000 absolute poor and displaced families will also be provided with dry ration, personal hygiene material and unconditional cash transfer support.

BUDGET:

Items	Units	Unit cost	Total
Dry Ration Kits	1000	1,800	1800000
Covid Care Kits	1000	3,300	3300000
Overhead cost @ 5%			255000
Grand Total			5355000
LUM SUM			5300000

You can donate to this campaign by filling the form below:

HAI’s WORK DONE SO FAR IN COVID-19 RESPONSE:

In the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020, we supported 937 ASHA and frontline health care workers in Bangalore and 781 sanitation workers and waste collectors in Delhi with PPA kits.

Commenced three-days training programme for community-level workers on Psycho-social first aid in collaboration with NIMHANS.

Set up oxygen banks in Delhi, Solapur, Maharashtra and Bengaluru with donation support of 20 oxygen concentrators from Mr Manish Mundra and supported 14 number of patients through these oxygen banks till date.

Distributed dry ration and hygiene kits to 201 refugee families, tarpaulin and ground sheets to 79 refugee families for temporary shelter support and, 142 mosquito nets to 71 families with support from Oxfam India.

Facilitating the refugees to get registered on Cowin platform for vaccination. Currently 22 refugees have been facilitated with first shot.

Attended 8 distress calls through Twitter/mail since 1st May 2021 and provided necessary support such as dry ration, milk, medicines, LPG refill etc.

Successfully filed petitions with NHRC to make refugees entitled for Covid19 vaccination, dry ration support and basic entitlements.

Supported a refugee child’s surgery by directly paying Rs 175,000 to the hospital.

Supported a family facing financial crisis due to COVID-19 hospitalisation by contributing Rs 210,000 towards medical expenses.

Distributed 50 weighing machines in collaboration with the Government of Orrisa to 50 blind people for their livelihood restoration. Each of them also received masks, gloves and sanitizer to protect them from Covid-19.