photo: courtesy BBC
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hear the Drowning Voices
Fresh reports pouring in from the team working its way towards Triveniganj and Chhatapur Blocks reveal that the situation out there is grim, mainly in terms of relief. Hordes of affected people are fleeing their villages in the most inhumane conditions (400-500 people boarding one single tractor). There are women who are cradling their newborn babies in their arms, clinging to the vehicle, often at the risk of dropping their babies. Conversation with the team brought to light that these people are moving from the villages of Koriapatti, Manganj and Lakshminia, where evacuation and relief have not reached yet. In the words of one of the villagers, “…for the past ten days we were stranded there and not a soul was visible.” Another villager in a choked voice narrated his account where he has left his 70 year old mother behind and has no hopes of her surviving. The fluctuating water level has also created intense fear amongst the people.
Update from Ground Zero: Base Camp, Saharsa, Bihar
(1155 hrs, 3rd September 2008)
The team from the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi arrived in Saharsa at 0030 hrs on 3rd September after an arduous journey through the flood waters. The base camp was set up by the team at 0500 hrs in Saharsa. It has been observed that Saharsa (turned island like) has become the key area for relief camps as nearly 0.2 million flood victims have been brought here. It is assumed that this number may increase to 0.4 million in a couple of days time. This is far greater than the actual capacity of the town. It is feared that the town would soon get saturated in terms of resources and sanitation has already emerged as a very serious concern with unconfirmed reports of cholera coming from a few places.
Secondly, the relief camps need attention as the entire focus is on evacuation. The team felt that the camps should be run for more than two months to allow the water to recede and initiate rehabilitation of the people. A local official said that the government relief material has not yet been sanctioned and so far, all the relief camps are being managed by the local individuals and NGOs.
Also as per official records, Madhepura is getting more attention and districts like Supaoul are being neglected. In Supaoul, Chhatapur and Triveniganj have remained untouched till date with the latter being the last motorable area. Hence a part of the team will begin by visiting Triveniganj today and then other places in Supaoul for a rapid assessment of the situation there.
For the present, Delhi university team shall be networking with Help Age India and the areas of focus will be immediate relief measures and site report development to enable a long term engagement with the area and ensure smooth rehabilitation of the victims.
Rescue operations as of now shall remain with the defence squads and other trained personnel in disaster relief, for the river water has not receded and it has an unmanageable current. The team consisting of students from the Department of Social Work and members from Help Age India will focus on post rescue relief work.
As a priority what is required is a group of doctors to be there to coordinate with the mobile medicine units of Help Age India. Also the local people have listed the following items as critically urgent now:
1. Baby food/ Infant Milk Powder
2. Gamcha (Cotton Towels)
3. Chaddar (Bed sheets)
4. Candles
5. Torches
6. Biscuits
7. And a good amount of cash to make sure that the scarcity of supplies in some of the relief camps could be met since transportation of goods from Patna or Delhi is hazardous and economically not viable.
The team has also strongly advised that the road link from Patna and Saharsa should be avoided as the condition is extremely perilous.
The second batch of volunteers from the Department of Social Work, Delhi University along with some doctors will be leaving for Bihar on Sunday, 7 Sep 2008.
The Department is working 24x 7 for collecting relief material in kind/cash. Helpline: 011-32021499
We request people to pitch in and support the people of Bihar at this critical juncture.
The team from the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi arrived in Saharsa at 0030 hrs on 3rd September after an arduous journey through the flood waters. The base camp was set up by the team at 0500 hrs in Saharsa. It has been observed that Saharsa (turned island like) has become the key area for relief camps as nearly 0.2 million flood victims have been brought here. It is assumed that this number may increase to 0.4 million in a couple of days time. This is far greater than the actual capacity of the town. It is feared that the town would soon get saturated in terms of resources and sanitation has already emerged as a very serious concern with unconfirmed reports of cholera coming from a few places.
Secondly, the relief camps need attention as the entire focus is on evacuation. The team felt that the camps should be run for more than two months to allow the water to recede and initiate rehabilitation of the people. A local official said that the government relief material has not yet been sanctioned and so far, all the relief camps are being managed by the local individuals and NGOs.
Also as per official records, Madhepura is getting more attention and districts like Supaoul are being neglected. In Supaoul, Chhatapur and Triveniganj have remained untouched till date with the latter being the last motorable area. Hence a part of the team will begin by visiting Triveniganj today and then other places in Supaoul for a rapid assessment of the situation there.
For the present, Delhi university team shall be networking with Help Age India and the areas of focus will be immediate relief measures and site report development to enable a long term engagement with the area and ensure smooth rehabilitation of the victims.
Rescue operations as of now shall remain with the defence squads and other trained personnel in disaster relief, for the river water has not receded and it has an unmanageable current. The team consisting of students from the Department of Social Work and members from Help Age India will focus on post rescue relief work.
As a priority what is required is a group of doctors to be there to coordinate with the mobile medicine units of Help Age India. Also the local people have listed the following items as critically urgent now:
1. Baby food/ Infant Milk Powder
2. Gamcha (Cotton Towels)
3. Chaddar (Bed sheets)
4. Candles
5. Torches
6. Biscuits
7. And a good amount of cash to make sure that the scarcity of supplies in some of the relief camps could be met since transportation of goods from Patna or Delhi is hazardous and economically not viable.
The team has also strongly advised that the road link from Patna and Saharsa should be avoided as the condition is extremely perilous.
The second batch of volunteers from the Department of Social Work, Delhi University along with some doctors will be leaving for Bihar on Sunday, 7 Sep 2008.
The Department is working 24x 7 for collecting relief material in kind/cash. Helpline: 011-32021499
We request people to pitch in and support the people of Bihar at this critical juncture.
Delhi University Response to Kosi Flood Victims: Press Release
Delhi, 1st September, 2008
Delhi School of Social Work (DSSW), University of Delhi has decided for immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for the victims of flood caused by Kosi, under a Project named UDAI. A batch of seven volunteers has left for Saharsa, Bihar with relief material amounting to Rs. 15 Lakh. The relief material contains –
ORH, Biscuits, Fruit Drinks, Clothes, Candles, Matchboxes, Baby food, Milk powder, Torches, Plastic Sheets and Shoes.
The Student volunteer team led by Dr. Manoj K. Jha, Director Field Work was sent off by Dr. A.K. Dubey, Registrar, D.U., Dr. S. K. Vij, Dean Student Welfare and Prof. Navjot Lahari, after speaking to a gathering of students at Delhi School of Social Work. Speaking on the occasion the Dean of colleges, Dr. A. K. Dubey while appreciating the role of Delhi School of Social Work in responding to Kosi disaster, assured full support and cooperation from the university authorities. Prof. Nayjot Lahari acknowledged the role of volunteerism in relief and rehabilitation also assured that the colleges of DU are with this initiative. Dr. S.K. Vij wished all the team members – Dr. Manoj Jha, Uday Bhaskar, Digvijoy Phukan, Santonu Hazarika, Rajeev Jena, Kevalya Desai, Pushpam; as a part of the commitment to the department and the discipline, and long service to Delhi School of Social Work, one of the security guards, Sh. Bajraj Singh (Pehalwanji) also joined the first batch of volunteers.
DUTA president, Dr. Aditya Mishra has also promised the support of the largest teachers’ association in the country in terms of human resource and financial support.
Delhi School of Social Work (DSSW) has launched its long-term relief and rehabilitation project- UDAI (University for Development Action and Integrated learning). This unit project has two fold objectives:-
a) To participate in relief and rehabilitation of flood affected victims
b) Bringing back experiences of learning into the knowledge system of the university.
Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Head, Dept. of Social Work and Director of the project UDAI informed that we have experiences of working with Earthquake victims of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Kasi. Based on our experiences batch of 10-15 student volunteers of DU will be going for a week or a fortnight for initial assessment. The project is expected to be for duration of 6-12 months.
The HelpAge India has extended support to the project, and many other International and National Organisations are extending support as well. The students of the dept. have collected relief materials amounting to Rs. 15 lakh so far and many responsible citizens, NGOs, are supporting this endeavor.
For any help, contribution, funds or queries, the DSSW has also started a 24 hour helpline number- 011-32021499.
Delhi School of Social Work (DSSW), University of Delhi has decided for immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for the victims of flood caused by Kosi, under a Project named UDAI. A batch of seven volunteers has left for Saharsa, Bihar with relief material amounting to Rs. 15 Lakh. The relief material contains –
ORH, Biscuits, Fruit Drinks, Clothes, Candles, Matchboxes, Baby food, Milk powder, Torches, Plastic Sheets and Shoes.
The Student volunteer team led by Dr. Manoj K. Jha, Director Field Work was sent off by Dr. A.K. Dubey, Registrar, D.U., Dr. S. K. Vij, Dean Student Welfare and Prof. Navjot Lahari, after speaking to a gathering of students at Delhi School of Social Work. Speaking on the occasion the Dean of colleges, Dr. A. K. Dubey while appreciating the role of Delhi School of Social Work in responding to Kosi disaster, assured full support and cooperation from the university authorities. Prof. Nayjot Lahari acknowledged the role of volunteerism in relief and rehabilitation also assured that the colleges of DU are with this initiative. Dr. S.K. Vij wished all the team members – Dr. Manoj Jha, Uday Bhaskar, Digvijoy Phukan, Santonu Hazarika, Rajeev Jena, Kevalya Desai, Pushpam; as a part of the commitment to the department and the discipline, and long service to Delhi School of Social Work, one of the security guards, Sh. Bajraj Singh (Pehalwanji) also joined the first batch of volunteers.
DUTA president, Dr. Aditya Mishra has also promised the support of the largest teachers’ association in the country in terms of human resource and financial support.
Delhi School of Social Work (DSSW) has launched its long-term relief and rehabilitation project- UDAI (University for Development Action and Integrated learning). This unit project has two fold objectives:-
a) To participate in relief and rehabilitation of flood affected victims
b) Bringing back experiences of learning into the knowledge system of the university.
Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Head, Dept. of Social Work and Director of the project UDAI informed that we have experiences of working with Earthquake victims of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Kasi. Based on our experiences batch of 10-15 student volunteers of DU will be going for a week or a fortnight for initial assessment. The project is expected to be for duration of 6-12 months.
The HelpAge India has extended support to the project, and many other International and National Organisations are extending support as well. The students of the dept. have collected relief materials amounting to Rs. 15 lakh so far and many responsible citizens, NGOs, are supporting this endeavor.
For any help, contribution, funds or queries, the DSSW has also started a 24 hour helpline number- 011-32021499.
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