With so many districts flooded, many have been forced to build temporary shelters on flood embankments, like here in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh. Photo: Oinam Ratan Singh / Indian Red Cross Society

The IRCS, a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with millions of active volunteers across 186 countries has responded to the floods in India that have affected 8.6 million people. The floods have so far claimed 310 lives, 6371 life stock is lost and 63190 houses are completely damaged.

In brief

Individuals and organizations may contribute to the Indian Red Cross Society’s humanitarian efforts through financial contributions in favour of the Secretary General, Indian Red Cross Society. The Indian Red Cross Society is consistently working towards easing the sufferings of the flood victims in India by providing non-food relief and service assistance. As an immediate response to the floods, the IRCS provided relief items amounting to in excess of INR 38,000,000, however more needs to be done to assist the states most severely affected by flooding this monsoon season. Trained assessment teams have already visited the affected regions to detail the exact requirements of the communities affected. Based on these field assessments, the society looks forward for an assistance of INR 176,280,000 to address the needs of 250,000 people (50,000 households) for a period of 6 months. The appeal is based on the needs described below, reflecting the most up-to-date information available.

The Indian Red Cross Society seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable people. For support to or for further information concerning the Indian Red Cross Society’s programmes or operations, or for a full description of the society’s profile, please visit our website: www.indianredcross.org.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
• E-mail: disasterresponse@indianredcross.org
• Tel: +91 11 2371 6441
• Fax: +91 11 2371 7454

The situation
Till date, actual rain fall in India is 716mm, which is marginally above the normal rain fall of 713.4 mm. Although the difference above normal seems minor, it has led to flooding in many rivers throughout the country, particularly the Ganga and Brahmaputra. The floods have already affected more than 5 million people in Assam, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Both national headquarters and state/district branches of the Indian Red Cross Society have been actively involved in extending assistance to those affected in order to expedite their recovery. Many areas remain under water and are likely to be remained as such for some weeks to come.

The Indian Red Cross Society responded immediately by releasing family pack items worth approximately INR 38,000,000. The Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross Society has been personally in touch with the secretaries of state branches to ensure close coordination between Delhi and the affected districts.

Detailed analysis (by state):
Assam
The floods have affected over nine hundred thousand people across 12 districts of the state. This year, heavy rainfall in adjoining areas of Arunachal Pradesh resulted in serious inundation for the people of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, and Sonitpur districts. The government has established relief camps to accommodate the displaced population in these affected districts.

Extent of damage

Bihar
The ongoing floods in Bihar are mainly due to swollen Ganga river. To date, 1,822 villages and more than 2.6 million people have been affected. Though the floods have now started receding, many villages are still surrounded by water. In some places such as Raghavpur (east) ward no. 13, river erosion has swept away many homes.

With the receding waters, there will be increased likelihood of water borne diseases due to contamination of drinking water sources, and unsafe open defecations. There may also be an increase in vector borne diseases such as malaria due to stagnant water. Rehabilitation/decontamination of bore wells, access to water purification (chlorine) tablets and education on the use of these tablets and improvements in sanitation practices will effectively minimize such health problems.

Extent of damage

Uttar Pradesh
State of Uttar Pradesh has 71 districts with a predominately rural population (80 per cent). The total geographical area of the state is 24,093,000 hectares, of which about 30 per cent (7,300,000 hectares) is flood prone.

At present, an estimated 2 million people across 810 villages have had their lives impacted by the current wave of flooding. At least 125 people have died in the last month alone due to these floods. An estimated 14,731 houses have been damaged. Twenty one districts of Uttar Pradesh have badly been affected by the heavy rain and subsequent flood occurring during the month of August.

As the rains have stopped and flood waters have begun to recede, water-logging of low laying areas may lead to increased breading of mosquitos, resulting in serious risk to  public health.

Extent of damage

Punjab
Punjab has also been affected by flooding during the recent monsoon period. 719 villages across 17 districts have been affected by the floods.

Extent of damage

West Bengal

Extent of damage

Needs
Following assessment reports and recommendation by state branches of the IRCS, 50,000 families affected by the floods will be selected for emergency response in Assam, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Beneficiary’s selection criteria:

• Families most affected by floods, living in the road side or on embankments in makeshift houses.
• Families headed by women (widows, divorced women without income)
• Families with disability and other socially excluded groups.
• Families who have not been beneficiaries or recipients of any substantial assistance specially housing by the Government of India, non-governmental organizations and other organizations.
• Farmers/ cultivators who have lost most of their productivity.

Immediate needs

Shelter:
In most of the flood affected areas, there are thatched houses. Thousands of such houses have been swept away or collapsed fully or partially. Also in some places though the houses have not collapsed, mud has spread everywhere in the house forcing people to take shelter in the camps or on the road side. These families are in dire need of temporary shelter.

Non-food family items:
More than 2,700 villages have been affected by the flood alone in Uttar Pradesh. Many families affected by floods have lost their belongings as they were waiting till last moment for the evacuation.  In the last moment they had to leave their home leaving behind all the household items. In the aftermath of such a disaster, many people are left with nothing but what they can carry. Though the efforts of government and community based organizations can help these households to recover, there are still needs for the emergency non-food items which can be addressed by the Red Cross.

Required non-food items

Health and hygiene:
Considering the stagnant water and garbage which poses risk of vector borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya, the mosquito nets are needs to be supplied to the affected families.

Pamphlets giving information in local languages about maintaining hygiene and sanitation and preventing diseases (such as Influenza A) will be distributed in order to raise awareness.

Water and sanitation:
Flood water has contaminated many of the drinking water sources. If this water is consumed, it may pose serious problems to health. Therefore the distribution of chlorine tablets and the disinfection / water purification units are required to meet the need of safe drinking water on a large scale.

Proposed operation
The overall goal of the operation is to provide relief support to 50,000 families affected by the floods in the country. The proposed operation will be addressing the components of immediate needs. It is expected to be implemented over six months. All the components will be implemented concurrently from the start of the operation.

1. Shelter

Objective: To provide temporary shelter to 50,000 families till the alternate permanent arrangements are made.

Activities planned:

• Distribution of tarpaulin sheets as temporary shelter material for 50,000 families in the most severely affected districts.

Expected result:

• 50,000 most flood affected families are provided with temporary shelter material.

2. Distribution of basic food and non-food items

Objective: To provide non food items to 50,000 families most affected by the flood.

Activities

• Distribution of non food items to the 50,000 flood affected families.

Expected result

• 50,000 families are provided with non food items.

3. Health and care

Objective: Prevent health of the people in the flood affected areas by promoting the use of mosquito nets and by disseminating good hygiene practises.

Activities

• Distribution of Mosquito nets to 50,000 families.
• Dissemination of information on maintaining hygiene, sanitation and preventive diseases amongst the flood affected population.

Expected results:

• 50,000 flood affected families are provided with mosquito nets.

4.  Water and sanitation

Objective: To reduce the risk of water borne and water related diseases through the provision of safe water and sanitation

Activities:

• Training of volunteers on the disinfection of bore wells, house hold water treatment and storage of safe drinking water
• Disinfection of bore wells by the volunteers in 10 Districts of Bihar,
• Dissemination of messages on household water treatment and storage of safe drinking water by the volunteers.

Expected results

• Drinking water sources (bore wells) have been disinfected by volunteers.
• The most affected communities are aware and practicing the household water treatments and safe drinking water storage methods.
• Reduction in risk of water borne diseases.

Target population per intervention

Partnerships and coordination

A mechanism has been established for the regular information sharing with in country PNSs, IFRC and ICRC.

Close coordination with government authorities is also being maintained in order to avoid duplication and to efficiently use the available resources. IRCS Bihar state branch has a pre-established partnership with UNICEF which is facilitating the sharing of resources at state level.

Domestic Appeal Budget: