Rapid Response Payment No. 17/2007
Funds Sent To: Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) and Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)
Amount Sent: US$ 49,302
Date: 3 August 2007
Details of Payment
Emergency: Floods in West Midnapore district, West Bengal
Date of Emergency: from 2-12th July 2007
Implementing Partners: Lutheran World Service - India (LWSI) and Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), in collaboration with Midnapore District Development Council.
A deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal and moved along the east coast of India, bringing incessant and torrential rain for four consecutive days from July 2-7, 2007, in the states of West Bengal and Orissa. The rains resulted in devastating floods in both the states.
Three districts of West Bengal have been severely affected by floods with West Midnapore being the worst hit. Several villages were submerged under 3-12 feet flood water while heavy water logging brought life to a standstill even in the city of Kolkata. In West Midnapore district itself, the death toll has gone up to 38. Over 4.7 million people in West Bengal have been affected and more than 51,000 people have taken shelter in 361 relief camps.
Assessment:
An LWSI team of three staff was sent to Sabang block of West Midnapore to do a rapid assessment of the situation from 25-26 July, 2007. The team met the people's representatives, elected leaders and the government officials at different levels as well as local NGOs, who requested LWSI intervention. LWSI is sending an assessment team of staff together with other local NGOs for a more detailed assessment on August 5th. Local ACT member CASA (Church's Auxiliary for Social Action) has also carried out a field assessment, along with the local people and local Panchayat members.
Details of the Emergency:
Sabang Block is surrounded by three rivers, namely Kaleighat, Kapaleswari, and Candia. During the current floods, many breaches occurred in the river embankments and people living in the catchments areas were drowned or marooned. According to CASA's assessment, 71 out of the 124 villages are seriously affected. Most of the village roads are damaged. CASA has also reported an acute food shortage as families stocks have been washed away. Standing crops and vegetables have also been destroyed due to stagnant flood water. The people living in these villages are mostly small farmers and landless agricultural labourers, and young children, the infirm, elderly, physically challenged and women are amongst the worst affected. About 6,225 houses (made of clay and thatch) have been completely destroyed, and another 9,104 houses have been partly damaged. Many families are deprived of basic necessities such as clothing and utensils.
The LWSI team also noted that while the people are in distress, they have creative ideas in addressing the flood situation. They noted the communities' unity, cooperation and mutual trust, which may help people to overcome the crisis situation. However, further assistance is required to supplement the local initiatives and the affected communities are prepared to extend full cooperation in working with LWSI.
Government Response:
The government has taken immediate initiative and provided some relief to the flood affected areas. The Indian Army, the Civil Defense, Para-military forces were called to rescue the people using mechanized boats and helicopters to airdrop food packets and drinking water to the marooned people.
Coordination among the ACT members in India:
LWSI, CASA and UELCI are in contact with each other with regards to the response to the latest floods. LWSI and CASA have assessments in West Midnapore. UELCI is not responding. LWSI and CASA are both expected to request for a full appeal to include the response in West Midnapore, but also Orissa, Bihar, and Assam.
Location of Response
Both LWSI and CASA are responding in Sabang Block of West Midnapore district, though in different Gram Panchayats/villages. CASA has tentatively targeted Julkapur, Barjiban and Gumai villages in Debhog Gram Panchayat, and Nawgan and Minaikara villages in Nawgan Gram Panchayat.
Proposed Assistance and implementation period
LWSI proposed Intervention (3 months):
Rapid relief assistance will cover 1,500 families affected by the current floods in West Bengal with the following supplies: HDPE polythene, water purification tabs for drinking water, food rations (Rice, Dal, Wheat), family clothing, fodder for saved livestock.
LWSI BUDGET: US$ 24,926
Implementation Methodology:
The staff drawn from Disaster Preparedness Project (DPP), Rural Development Project (RDP) Urban Development Project (UDP) and formed the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) to undertake the relief operation. Once the request is approved from ACT CO, the RRT will move to the affected area and establish contact with the local government administration, local NGOs and the people's elected representatives in the respective area. The relief recipient families will be enlisted with the assistance of the local representatives from the flood affected villages and the distribution will be started ensuring proper documents in support of the utilization of the relief supplies. LWSI is also encouraging the Community Based Disaster Management Taskforce Team members, who were earlier trained to take lead in the rapid relief operation in their own villages and in case their villages are not affected, they offer themselves to help other affected villages.
The distribution of the proposed supplies are expected to be completed within 2 months beginning from 1st August 2007 followed by the final report to be submitted to ACT CO in the third month, i.e. 31st October 2007.
CASA proposed intervention (1 month):
To provide clothing, blankets and other household articles of daily use to 1200 affected families.
CASA BUDGET: US$ 24,376
(For the detailed budgets, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
ACTION
The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 49,302 by LWSI and CASA towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.
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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
