Voluntary Citizen or Civil Society Sector

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, where blogs all over the world are writing about poverty. We thought we would use this opportunity to talk about water and poverty.

Response to flood relief needs in Madhepura MurliGanj area:  Update 1

More than 17 million people have been affected in India, Bangladesh and Nepal by the recent floods in South Asia. Around 3 million people have been rendered homeless and more than one million are now living in relief camps.

Forwarded to the Portal by: Pratibha Singh

Forwarded to the Portal by: Avijit Dey, Plan International The following is a report on Plan International's current intervention in the Bihar Flood Situation. The report was received on 12th September 2008.

Name of Organisation: Plan India
Address: E-12 Kailash Colony, New Delhi
Phone No. 46558484 Fax: 46558443
Head of Organisation: Bhagyashri Dengle
Email: Bhagyashri.dengle@plan-international.org
Mobile-9810307476
Website:http://www.planindia.org/ Online campaign page: http://www.helpbihar.in

Plan’s India’s Response:

Plan India has started a limited and focused response operation to the Bihar flood situation in Supaul district ,Triveniganj Block Dafarka Canal an isolated and cutoff population of around 40000 people who are living in an embankment and are yet unreached by either government or civil society. Plan has already dispatched 10 lakh halazone tablets, 650 kilograms of carbolic acid [to prevent snake and insect bites], 2.5 tons of bleaching powder and 20 life jackets. Plan has raised 25000 soaps through corporate donations and the consignment will be sent early next week. Plan India staff have contributed one day of their wage to the response operations. A lot of effort is also being put in to raise funds through local sources.

On the ground, the interventions are planned through 3-5 Camps sites in three districts with local NGO partnership:

• Supaul District which is badly impacted with 15 of 18 blocks under water where we intend to reach 4000 people initially and scale up to 6000 people.
• Madhepura district Block Alam Nagar 2500 people and scale up to about 4000.
• Saharsa, Block Sonbarsa, approximate 3000 people.

At the Camp Sites

• People are crowded in camps on high ground in community buildings and road sides.
• Health needs are not adequately being met
• Stagnant water is creating difficulties in access.
• There is some distribution of plastic sheeting.
• People are living in close proximity with there animals.
• There is no electricity and inadequate light through candles is creating difficulties.
• No privacy for women.
• No safe spaces for children.

 A list of new books that are currently available and related information is presented.

Two documents giving the details of the mega camps and other relief camps that are being run by the Government. Thanks to Eklavya Prasad of Megh Pyne Abhiyan for forwarding these documents.

Among lot of other data it gives the current government estimate of affected people (40lakh people, from 2350 affected villages, in 16 districts of Bihar, with the  number of deaths as 87). There is a district-wise breakup. Information about food and other material and cash being distributed, details of the relief camps, UN activities are mentioned.