Support J&K & 6 other Indian states' flood victims

Free educational coaching centers; In the rehabilitation phase of our work, as Goonj started looking at the gap areas in the rehabilitation work we found that school children were the worst sufferers as their schools remained closed for critical 2 months post floods. In our first of kind foray, we initiated free winter coaching for students of Srinagar and surrounding areas from December 2014 as the schools were formally closed for three months due to winters. This programme benefited 1283 children in Kashmir who were provided free subject notes and subject material. 9 local educational institutions located at Shalteng, Qamarwari, Chanapora, Rajbagh, Karan Nagar, Interior of Dal Lake, Lasjan, Nai Sarak in Srinagar District and Kakpora in Pulwama district joined hands with Goonj in this cause. The coaching went on till end of February 2015.

Plan of action; For the next phase Goonj team visited other areas including Jammu.  21 education institutions have been explored with whom we plan to partner for Computer Centers, Academic Libraries, Scientific laboratories, Recreation Centers, Toy centers, Reading rooms, Skill Development Centers and Counseling center for Assessments, Examinations & Careers.

Winter Kits Distribution; During Chilai Kalan (extreme cold period during five months of winters) not only in the night but often in the day also the temperature went below zero. During this time Goonj prepared and distributed special winter kits consisting of blankets, Daris, clothing, shoes, toiletry and nutritional supplements to 15000 families including solar lights etc. We are targeting to reach these winter kits to at least 5000-8000 more families in the coming time. While 3315 pairs of good quality mattress & quilts were distributed among the needy, 1083 high quality female pherans specially designed to protect against J&K severe winters were also given.

Medical Camps with Government Hospitals and medical fratenity; J&K Health Department gynecologists, ENT specialists, surgeons, orthopedicians, pediatricians, geriatricians and general physicians conducted multiple health camps in different parts of Kashmir immediately after the floods while Goonj provided medical supplies and medicines.  

Common diseases noticed were Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Acute Gastro Enteritis, Asthma, Hypertension and Urinary Tract Infection.  One of the doctors’ commented, “I really appreciate the quality and quantity of medicines provided.”

Critical care medicine was also distributed to poor and needy in collaboration with Specialists from SKIMS (Sher-i Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences), Government Medical Colleges & Associated Hospitals. Many of these highly qualified doctors volunteered for Goonj's day long Medical camps during the initial days of the floods. More than 30 medicals camps were also conducted in medical collaboration with Borderless World Foundation in October, November and December, last year.    

During the recent swine flu epidemic in J&K , as precautionary measures around 500 masks were channelized to Sanat Nagar and Bagat areas in Srinagar city by Goonj.

Plan of action; We will be distributing 40000 rubber gloves to Safai cleanliness workers across the city of Srinagar later this month. Starting 8^th April 2015, we plan to organize 25 medical camps in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama Districts in partnership with Doctors for You. 

NJPC and menstrual hygiene awareness Awareness sessions about menstrual hygiene and management were also conducted with ASHA workers. The health workers spoke of the taboos that every woman faces and their desire to talk to women in their areas. 

Work with migrant laborers; Goonj has been regularly reaching out much needed winter kits and other material to migrant laborers in different parts of Kashmir. We are now planning to work more extensively with them on initiatives like Cloth for Work etc.

Links:

• Hidden aspects of disasters in India - Civil Society
• Article posted by WCRC Leaders
• The invisible disaster; INK Talk by Anshu Gupta

“Paani sey to bach gaye kisi tareh ab thand sey bachna baaki hai.” (somehow we were saved from the water but saving ourselves from the winters is a big challenge) Rafeeq says it all in a few words. He lost everything at home in the devastating floods in Kashmir. This year millions of people across 8 states – from Meghalaya to Andhra Pradesh have gone through one of the worst floods/cyclones. Even though early warnings minimized the deaths, other losses were still enormous.

A quick and swift appeal was sent out as soon as the floods hit Jammu & Kashmir. There was an enormous material, volunteer and monetary support from all across. During the first phase of relief work since the roads were blocked around 28 tons of need based material was airlifted to Srinagar with the help of Indigo and other airlines. Later, we started sending material via trucks from our Delhi Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad offices . Over 50 trucks have been sent so far. As of now, Goonj has channelized over 400 tonnes of relief material to the affected areas of J&K. Relief material included dry ration, medicines, utensils, sanitary napkins, blankets, woolens, solar lights, ORS, tarpaulins and other essentials.

Goonj now has a base office in Srinagar to carry out long term work. We are also committed to address the needs of areas and communities who got the least attention but are worst affected like migrants, people living on the streets, rag pickers etc. Goonj would also be initiating computer and stitching centers as income generation and training activities. 

Extensive work was carried out in the other flood or cyclone affected areas of across Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where millions were displaced and rendered homeless and possessions, agriculture and livestock worth millions were destroyed !!

Do refer the detailed presentations on Goonj’s extensive work 

1. In Jammu & Kashmir; http://goonj.org/JK-Report-14.pdf 

2. In other flood affected areas; http://goonj.org/Otherstates-14.pdf

The chilling cold is certainly a bigger disaster in flood affected areas, with severely damaged homes and very little in the name of possessions. For 15 years Goonj has shared gruesome stories/facts on how people die or suffer due to lack of clothing in winters. This year the situtation is more alarming. We always say - ' The Cold doesn't kill people, lack of clothing does..!! Do contribute for Rahat Winter campaign of Goonj.. 

For regular updates refer- www.goonj.org, https://www.facebook.com/goonj

Links:

• Update on Rahat Floods - J & K
• Update on other flood affected States
• Updates on Facebook