By Rina Chunder, Information & Documentation Officer, Lutheran World Service – India

Incessant and torrential rains in late June and throughout most of July led to the worst flooding in Assam in two decades. The Brahmaputra River swelled to heights well over the danger level, submerging everything around it and its tributaries. The floods devastated 10,000 villages, claiming the lives of several hundred people and affecting some 5 million more.

Village after village suffered complete destruction. The connecting main roads and embankments were completely submerged and all forms of communication disrupted. People had fled to higher land for refuge, taking with them whatever they could carry. Some people were stranded without food and drinking water for days on end. The poorest people, who are mainly daily wage earners, had little food reserves, no work and subsequently no means to buy food. The plight of the old, the infirm and the abandoned soon became desperate.

Although the government stepped in with relief, it did not stretch far enough. NGOs also had to provide assistance, distributing emergency items such as plastic sheeting and rice and pulses.

ACT member LWSI provided flood relief to communities in the three districts of Assam, Dhubri, Goalpara and Kokrajhar. The communities that received the assistance were the ones that LWSI had already been working with as part of its rehabilitation and disaster preparedness projects after the 2002 Assam floods.

As the emergency developed, staff of LWSI visited the villages, bringing a message of hope to those whose lives had again been affected by raging floodwaters. People responded by saying that they were grateful for this form of psycho-social support, as it showed concern for people's wellbeing, which gave them the needed strength to face the hardships brought on by this disaster.

So far, with the funds received through ACT International from members of the global alliance around the world, LWSI has distributed 7, 500 plastic sheets, 12,0,000 halogen tablets (100 tablets per family to purify 100 liters of water), 75 metric tons of pressed rice (5 kg per family, and ready for eating), and 7,5 metric tons of raw sugar or molasses (500 grams per family). Each plastic sheet that measures 15X12 ft is thick, with rope sewn into the hem and grommets on each corner for tying the sheet in place. These sheets last several years, which meant that people who had received plastic sheeting during the 2002 floods and had managed to save it, did not need new sheets this time round.

Relief distribution in an emergency where so many people are affected and assistance can meet the needs of some, is a difficult task. However, as soon as staff of LWSI received notice that relief funds had been pledged and that items needed for distribution was on its way, they conducted extensive surveys amongst villagers. This took place during the day, but also at night, with villages being reached on foot or boat, to identify the most vulnerable families. LWSI also worked closely with members and leaders of the different communities, who could guide them on which families were most in need. Lists were drawn up of those qualified to receive assistance and coupons were distributed among these families. LWSI staff also crosschecked their lists with government distribution lists, to ensure that relief was not being duplicated. Then, everyone with a coupon was told when and where to come for the distribution. One member from each family would come with the coupon to the distribution centers, to collect their items. This way, crowds were controlled, and the staff could ensure that all the necessary records were kept, and that the most needy had some food and shelter to help them survive until the floodwaters receded.

Flood relief in Assam and Bihar

By Nirmal Singh, Administration and Emergency Officer, Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)

Although the floodwaters caused by most of the rivers have started receding in Assam and Bihar, massive damage was caused, with people still seeking shelter on higher ground or in schools. Many people who fled their homes to escape the floodwaters are still not able to return home, as in many cases, their houses, which are made of mud, were damaged. Some villages in Bihar remain cut off and access to the villages is difficult, as is transporting relief items. Most of the roads were badly damaged, making travel hard, with trucks taking much longer than usual to get to communities.

In Assam, more than 350 people lost their lives, while in Bihar, the death toll is estimated at over 600. Concerns have been expressed that should the rains continue in the flood-affected areas or in the hills of Nepal and North East India, floods will continue in the two states.

ACT member CASA has continued their relief operations in the districts of Barpeta, Nalbari, Morigaon and Nagaon in Assam. In Bihar, assistance has been given to people in Sitamarhi and West Champaran districts. In Assam, 15,000 families will receive assistance, while in Bihar, CASA will bring relief to 8,000 families. Distribution of relief material has started in both states and is expected to be completed by the end of August. Relief items include clothes, blankets and plastic sheeting for temporary shelters.

In Assam, CASA is working in partnership with St. Teresa School and another NGO, Anchalik Bikash Sangha. In Bihar, the ACT members works in partnership with local organizations Navajeevan Social Welfare Society, and Community Health and Rural Development. Apart from these, local churches are also working with CASA, making warehousing facilities available either free or at a nominal cost.

CASA had previously built 4 flood shelters in the state of Assam, as well as raised platforms in 3 villages. The recent floods saw 264 families taking refuge in these shelters or on the raised embankments. In Bokakhat, people continue to live in one of these shelters. The raised platforms were constructed by CASA through its food-for-community development programs.

The last three years has seen CASA working in the field of community-based disaster preparedness, which has enabled the organization to set up Disaster Mitigation Task Forces (DMTFs) in the states of Orissa and West Bengal. In Orissa, 80 volunteers make up the DMTF, whereas 110 volunteers are involved in the DMTFs in West Bengal. The volunteers are all trained in different aspects of emergency response and disaster management. The recent floods saw CASA sending five DMTF members from Orissa to help its relief teams in Bihar. This was the first time this had happened. Similarly, five DMTF members from West Bengal join the relief teams in Assam.