Rehabilitation for Cyclone Affected Communities

Natural Disasters and Poverty are the integral part of the ill-fated marginalized community of Sunderbans, most of who are daily wage earners.

With the continuing lock down for Covid-19 outbreak they were already without any earnings and helpless. And now with severe Super Cyclone Amphan that hit the vast areas of coastal West Bengal and entire Sunderbans on 20^th May, 2020 devastated the lives of people here absolutely.

The worst impacted district is South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India- vast areas of which are our core operational area. Devastations impacted at its worst in four blocks which are both close to the sea coast and riverine – Sagar, Namkhana, Patharpratima and Mathurapur II - at least 50 villages are under water. In Sagar Blocks more than 90 % houses have collapsed here. Any sudden rain will destroy the still remaining small household items. With the monsoon started this fear is becoming reality. Thus, the communities are in high needs of Shelter Materials.

Vast area, approximately 720 Hactres are now under brackish water with all embankments broken. More than 5.6 lacs people in around 125 villages are severely impacted. At least 115500 houses are either partially or fully damaged. 

As per the news coming from GPs, major sections of the people have taken shelter in relief camps. All communications are gone- roads blocked with fallen tree trunks, electricity poles etc. Communication through phone is not working. No electricity. More than 70% of the drinking water sources are contaminated. Water is being carried from faraway places.

With the coming monsoon the survival of the community will become more challenging.  

Pond Water is highly contaminated with fallen leaves and uprooted Tree Branches which are being rotten now and also with brackish water- which are the only source for water for any usage in many areas. Fishes, a rich source of livelihood, are also being destroyed.

Almost all domesticated animals, Cows, Bullocks, Sheeps, Goats etc. are now being sold out. A section of wealthy people are buying those along with boats for fishing and other materials which are highly used as a source for livelihood for the people here in all the blocks. Due to the over-flooded situation water has drifted across all cross roads which are linking with the main roads. Thus the situation is restricting people’s mobility even for collecting drinking water from a comparatively safer source, if available.

Health Intervention is at high essentiality now. Skin Problem, Water Borne Disease etc. are already being reported which needs to be prevented urgently.  Due to the menace situation people are not following any restriction on Social Distancing directive also.

Along with the entire community with no earnings and consistent impact by both disasters the conditions of children here has become horrible. Already due to continuous lock down Schools are closed since the last week of March, 2020. But with many essential household utilities, Books and other educational materials are also destroyed by the Cyclone.

At this extreme crisis with no earnings many of the Guardians/ Parents are also losing interest in the education of their children. Rather many of them wanted them to utilise them as earning avenues. Thus, the possibility for Human Trafficking has become highest – in form of early marriage, as being sent as Domestic Help etc. 

The entire community here is high need of immediate and consistent support so that they can restore back to their livelihoods and normalcy. Support to the children is highly essential so that they don’t become drop out and continue education. With many of the School Buildings damaged we need to have them repaired to resume the studies for children as early possible.

We desperately are responding to the affected people along with local PRIs and Govt. Disaster department. At our limited capacity we are providing tarpaulins, ropes, dry foods and also running Community Kitchen. Some solar lanterns are also provided.

Appeal

We appeal to everybody to please stand by us in our endeavour to support the ill-fated community prey to Cyclone Amphan to get restore to lives again. 

Please open your hearts and stand by the people who are now at null to start yet again!