Deteriorating flood situation

Reports that in Assam almost 18 million people are affected by the floods. The situation is similar in Madhubani and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar and the Jalpaiguri district in north west Bengal. In view of the gravity of the situation in these areas CASA has decided to take up the following intervention

Assam

Area: Dhemaji District
Nos: Approximately 10,000 families
Distribution of: 10,000 relief sets; dry rations for 5,000 families for 10 days; tarpaulins for 5,000 families and construction of 5 flood shelters in the most chronically vulnerable areas.

West Bengal

Area: Jalpaiguri District
Nos: Approximately 3,000 families
Distribution of: 3,000 relief sets; dry rations for 2,000 families for 10 days and tarpaulins for 1,500 families.

Bihar

Area: Madhubani and Sitamarhi Districts
Nos: Approximately 5,000 families
Distribution of: 5,000 relief sets; dry rations for 3,000 families for 10 days and 3,000 tarpaulins.

Assam: LWSI Reports from Dhubri District that some of their food-for-work projects are being suspended until the flood situation eases. Community infrastructures such as village roads, mounts or raised platforms and embankments that have already been completed in the districts are now being used by the people to escape from the water. The tube wells on raised platforms constructed after the 2002 floods is being used for potable water sources in the "char" areas where LWSI operate namely, Birshing Jarua, Devitola, South Salmara, Dharmasala and Rupshi Blocks of Dhubri district.

The Commissioner and Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation Department of Assam informed LWSI that the Goalpara, Dhemaji and Nalbari districts are in a state of flood. The people have been moved to safer places and need immediate assistance with shelter and food. The Commissioner asked if LWSI could mobilise plastic sheets and food rations for at least 5,000 families in Goalpara, which is adjacent to Dhubri District.

LWSI is planning to send the following relief supplies from their Emergency stock pile to Goalpara for immediate distribution.

• 5,000 re-inforced plastic sheets (conforming to the Sphere Minimum Standards)
• 500 cartons of BP5 Emergency Compact Protein Food enough to serve a one-time meal to 10,800 persons for10 days
• Water purifying (halogen) tablets and bleach powder will be sent along with the above items for potable water and sanitation purposes.

LWSI needs $ 25,000 to meet the initial expenditure for mobilising the supplies from the stock pile, transportation, procurement of water purifying tablets and bleach powder and for other rapid response phase services including the assessments.

Bihar: LWSI Disaster Response Team reported from Madhubani that most of the community infrastructures restored and newly created after the 2002 floods by LWSI are still intact.

Both CASA and LWSI are in contact and co-ordinating their response. An ACT Appeal may be forthcoming and ACT CO will follow-up the possibility and need for an initial RRF response.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org). Thank you.