Saturday, November 8, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
STILL A LONG WAY TO GO
RCH intervention intensified at Bhutahi Baandh
DEEPAWALI celebrated at Bhutahi Baandh, Dafarka village by Team 6
A grand gala cultural evening was organized in the presence of the local media which was attended by more the 1,500 children and 1000 local inhabitants. This programme had two-fold objectives – (a) to celebrate Deepawali with the community; and (b) to generate awareness in the community through the children regarding issues of health and sanitation. More than 25 cultural programmes consisting of progressive songs, dances, poems, rhymes, speeches were presented by the students of Hamari Pathshaala and members of Hamara Sankalp and Hamara Milan. All the components of the intervention of Department of Social Work converged together to organize this programme as it was a joint and collaborative effort of the Hamari Paathshaala, Hamara Milan, Hamara Sankalp, and Hamara Asptaal. The cultural programme on the eve of the Deepawali was widely appreciated across the section at Bhutahi Baandh.
On the same day, the UDAI volunteers distributed large numbers of packets to the families living on the banks of the Bhutahi Baandh. The students of Hamari Paathshaala were given new clothes and uniforms.
Hamara Milan
Hamara Milan is the similar 'meaningful engagement' but with the adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. It was conceived by team 5 with the idea of providing some life-based domestic skills to the local girls which includes vocational training also. However, reshaped by the team 6, Hamara Milan now has a broader canvas which includes in itself also the pregnant women and lactating mothers of the community along with the adolescent girls. The core principle of the concept, Hamara Milan is to provide RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) services along with imparting the domestically useful skills. Considering the social structure of the community, it was difficult to bring the girls and boys together at a similar platform. Hence a separate platform was created for the girls of the community. Hamara Milan is a platform wherein the girls can come together to discuss their issues and get the opinion of others as well. The experiences of the initial days were very rich. It was found that initially the girls were not sharing their problems, however with the rigorous attempts of our volunteers; these girls are now actively sharing their views. Hamara Milan has also motivated two girls to volunteer for Hamari Paathshaala run by DSW. Although in its embryonic stage, the components of Hamara Sankalp and Hamara Milan are already yielding results for the process of community development at Dafarka, Triveniganj.
Hamara Sankalp
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Team 6 reaches Saharsa on 13th
खास लोग, आम लोग
कुछ खास होते हैं उनके जन्म, भाग्य और परिवार से ।
कुछ खास हो जाते हैं उनके कर्म, सोच और विचार से।
ऐसे ही एक आम शख्स को मैंने खास होते देखा हैं ।
मैंने एक इंसान को, सच में इंसान देखा हैं ।
सुनामी, भूकंप, सुखा, बाढ़ ये भी रंग हैं कुदरत के।
महज़ फूल ही नहीं खारे भी हैं बेशुमार इसके दामन में।
मैंने लोगों को मौत से लड़ते झगड़ते देखा हैं
मैंने बिहार को कोसी झूझते देखा हैं।
जब आम इंसान घिर गए पानी से।
तो खेल शुरु हुआ मौत , लाश और मातम का।
हज़ारो घर टूटे लाखो लोग तबाह हुए।
कितने लोग रहे? जो रहे कब तक रहे? मालूम नहीं!
आम लोग मरते रहे, खपते रहे, बिलखते रहे, पर क्या हासील!
कुछ लोग जो खास होते हैं जन्म, भाग्य और परिवार से वो मौन रहे।
देखते रहे भद्दा तमाशा मौत, मातम और मसीहाई का।
पर एक शख्स और चंद लोग जो आम होकर भी आम न रहे ।
वो उठे, बढे, वो चले एक सहारा बनने।
एक छोटा सा सहारा ही, मगर हैं तो सही!
लोग जुड़ते गए और चंद लोग 'हम' बन गए।
फ़िर सिलसिला शुरू हुआ लोगो की लोटती मुस्कान का।
घर बने, तन ढके, भूख मिटि, रोग कटे और सबसे खासम- खास कुछ अपने मिले।
डबडबाती आखों में खुशी, सूखे- फीके होठो पे मुस्कान , दिल में अहसास अपने पन का देकर,
हम लोग और वो शख्स जो आम दिखता था ,
सब मिसाल बन गए ज़माने के लिए ।
हम आम लोग खास बन गए ज़माने के लिए...
हम आम लोग खास बन गए ज़माने के लिए ...
--
अजय सैनी
Ajay Saini, M.A (P)
Department of Social Work
University of Delhi
कुछ चूल्हे जले हैं कुछ को जलाना है, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के प्रयास को आगे बढ़ाना है
It was an unique experience to get associated with the Delhi University team and visit the site to meet the flood victims and boost the morale of the volunteers.
I travelled all the way from Doha -Mumbai-Delhi-Patna-Saharsa to join the team. Saharsa is the base camp for all voluntary organisations. I was carrying 4 cartons containing baby food ( Lactogen) and Torches. In fact these items were suggested by Dr. Manoj Jha before the start of my journey. This is an good advice to all philanthropists visiting the relief camp to get prior information of the items immediately needed. I have seen people travel with loads of material which are either in surplus or do not have immediate requirement. A typical example was the over supply of blankets in the month of September/October.
It was the Dashehra when I spent my day with children of Hamari Pathshala and the patients at Hmara Aspatal - excellent piece of idea of DU. We distributed sweets among the children and celebrated the festival. It was a memorable occasion as some of the parents who were watching us could not control themselves. One can imagine the people staying on the bank of canal for last one and half month after loosing every thing and suddenly some one is reminding them of their festival. It was the wonderful efforts of Delhi University who brought solace to the children and their family. I would like to share the photo of the smiling faces of the children.
I extend my sincere thanks to Professor Sanjai Bhatt for his project UDAI-II and wish him great success for the noble cause of serving community.
Finally I conclude with the saying
Saturday, October 11, 2008
बांस बोला
बांस - एक कच्चा, खोखला, व्यर्थ नाम तुम्हारे लिए ।
बांसवारी में उगता, फिर बिकता भाव कौडियों के ।
देवदार, साल, शीशम से आँका जाता, वो बताते मुझको मेरी औकात ।
हरदम कम समझा जाता 'थोथा' मेरा नाम बजता ।
पर अब मान है होता इस थोथेपन पे मुझे ।
मैं थोथा बन्सू लोगो के देखो क्या काम आया ।
जब आई बाढ़ बिहार में , डूबे शहर बस्ती गाँव ।
बेघर हुए घर वाले, टूटे सपने, छूटे अपने, छुटे मुहँ के निवाले ।
फसलें, इंसां, मवेशी, पक्षी, समा गए सब जल थल में ।
कभी न देखा न सुना था ऐसा मंजर गज़ब का कहर ढा गई कोसी ।
जब लोग थे बेघर, हताश, आश्रयहीन, और व्याकुल
तो में थोथा बन्सू कटा और बना आश्रय उनके लिए ।
भूख से बिलखते मवेशियों को पाला मैंने पत्तों से अपने
मैं कटा, चीरा, मिटा लोगों के लिए ।
मुझसे बाँध, नौका, पलंग, मचान, और नीढ बने इंसानों के
अब भूतही, जीरवा - देवदार, साल, शीशम को उनकी औकात बताते हैं ।
महिमा मेरी देख देख सब विस्मित रह जाते हैं ।
और आज मैं जब बने घर, झूलते बाँध, चलते नौका, पलते मवेशी और इंसा पता हूँ ।
सच कहूँ तो खुशी से 'थोथा बन्सू' मैं झूम झूम इतराता हूँ ।
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Team 5 of DSW reaches Saharsa on 7th September 2008
Smiles Break Out
Disaster in Bihar: A Report from TISS Assessment Team
RCH Intervention at Bhutahi Baandh
Team 4 has started intensive intervention on maternal health issues identifying the fact that the pregnant women and lactating mothers are the most vulnerable section among the flood affected population. After an initial effort and using the skills of community mobilisation a group of 15 women cadre has also been formed to take this RCH initiative further. "The team recieved immense local support from all corners and the initiative was widely appreciated by everyone" says team leader, Dr. Shahid from B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi.
Eid Celebrated at Saharsa by Team 4
On the festive occasion of Eid, the Team 4 of Department of Social Work distributed specially made packets to the flood victims at Saharsa Urdu Madhyamik Vidyalaya. These packets contained eatables and clothes which was distributed on the last iftaar before Eid. The team also celebrated Eid with the flood affected families in their intervention area.
New Spot identified for further relief operations
As things get tough, the tough get going...
There was heavy storm and thunder to add on to the plight of the flood victims of Bihar. Since morning the team was contemplating whether to go to the site or not as the adverse weather condition had blocked all the practical ways to reach the site. Finally a small team was sent under the leadership of Mr. Aditya Choubey. The team took with them tarpaulin sheets and emergency medicines and reached Bhutahi Baandh with great difficulties. On reaching the site at Bhutahi Baandh it was found that no other agency had gone there for relief in the entire stretch. The local people were eagerly waiting for our team and seeing our volunteers they shouted with joy and felt relieved. The team distributed tarpaulin sheets and medicines to the most needy. The condition was so worse there that one tarpaulin sheet was shared by atleast 50 affected persons. Those people had no clothes to wear as all their clothes got drenched in rain. Targetted intervention was required as the team was short of the relief materials at that time. The team had some cotton towels (gamchha) with them. Those were given to the new born babies. Next day the team went all prepared to distribute the relief materials to the identified families.
Amity Students collaborated with Team 4 at Saharsa
Team 4 Reaches Saharsa on 24th September 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Field Activities of Team 3
To strengthen the ongoing medical intervention the team operationalised mobile medical unit and it is responding to emergencies in Madhepura and Supaul districts.
The networking component was focussed upon and the team along with Prof. Sanjai Bhatt and Dr. Manoj K Jha participated in the NGO coordination meeting called by the District Magistrate of Saharsa. The district administration praised the work of DSW and asked the Department to come up with proposals for
- damage assessment of the affected flood relief areas
- psycho-social counselling of the victims
- formation of the federation of the organisations working in the area
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A Report by Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Head, DSW, DU
On call from the field, I could not resist myself and made an emergent visit to Saharsa from 24-27 September 2008. Dr. Manoj K Jha, Director, Field Work also joined me to facilitate the whole process. Since the purpose of the visit was to apprise myself with ground realities of the field and our intervention programmes, I focused my trip on base camp management, field oriented activities, consolidation of our efforts and expanding out networks and alliances.
About 6-7 lakh people were found living in the temporary hutments on the either side of the Kataiya to Murliganj embankment. It is unfortunate to state that the state intervention is completely missing and people are deprived of even basic amenities like drinking water, food and sanitation. Some of the displaced villagers are going back to their villages to fetch drinking water from hand pumps (which are also contaminated) whereas others are using canal water for drinking and other domestic purposes. The State-organised Mega Camps do provide food to villagers but these camps are distantly located and most of the affected people are not able to reach these camps. Further the food availability is never assured and had no fixed time.
In my presence, I saw our volunteers intervening to save a damaged bridge which was likely to collapse due to heavy traffic. The bridge known as Pucca Pul was the only connection between Madhepura and Muraliganj and hence it was overloaded and jammed. Our volunteers intervened at the right time to control and regulate the traffic thereby saving another mishap to happen. Till the time Mr Dharmendra Prasad, SDO, Madhepura reached and took charge our volunteers played a very significant role by acting aptly according to the need of the situation.
I would also like to put it on record the help and support extended by Mr Sanjay Jha, Mr Chandan and Mr Santosh to our team. Without their support it would have been really a difficult task for us. Finally, I would like to congratulate all the students who are working day and night to support this programme. Their efforts are greatly been acknowledged in the field by everyone.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Third Team of DSW volunteers reached Saharsa
Activities Undertaken by TEAM 2, DSW
- To meet the immediate health requirement of the victims at the point of their rescue at Bhutahi Baadh, Triveniganj Block.
- To cater to the needs of the marooned people on the embankment.
- To undertake participatory methods to identify the families requiring immediate attention on health issues and other basic needs.
- To take measures to stop the rising cases of diarrohoea and enteric fever.
- Further need assessment was done taking family as a unit for intervention and as per that 2500 families with pregnant women, infant, old persons and persons with disabilities were identified from a stretch of victims comprising of the weakest sections. It laid down the road which will eventually lead to the final rehabilitation of the families.
- The team from Department of Social Work became the first relief providers to the victims in Dinapatti village wading through 12 kms of flood water they attended to 287 patients on the very first day and distributed relief material. Thus proving right the slogan – “We make the road by walking…”
- Simultaneously, in Dafarka in Bhutahi Baandh we became the first team to establish a health centre. It is now catering to a population of 4 out of the 12 panchayats around that area.
- A mobile medical unit with support from HelpAge is fully operational at Patarghat in Sonbarsa.
- All the medical operations are facilitated by our DSW volunteers with the help of a medical team led by Dr. Saket.
- Based on their need assessment, the team 2 has started distributing the relief material to the identified families and has been applauded by the Indian army and CISF personnel stationed in the area. Currently we can claim that the medical services provided by the department in association with its partners is the only banner which is providing health services on a regular basis at multiple sites. No other agency is providing health services in the interior most areas.
Activities Undertaken by TEAM 1, DSW
Team 1 with relief materials of worth Rs 15 lacs reached Saharsa on 2nd September 2008 and on that very day a base camp was set up at Saharsa. The team undertook rapid assessment of almost all the flood affected areas of Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura for two days. It also analysed the relief work going on in Saharsa which has emerged as an ‘island of hope’ for millions rendered homeless. Finally an area known as Bhutahi Baandh was identified for the intervention.
Team 1 intervened at three levels:
- Providing relief materials to the women (esp. pregnant women, children and elderly citizens at the point of rescue at Bhutahi Baandh. They were given ORS, biscuits, torches and other relief materials.
- Running a mobile medical unit (MMU) at Majhouva, Madhepura. The medical unit was catering to all water-borne diseases, which include viral infections, stomach ailments and sores arising out of walking in the water.
- Undertaking a participatory need assessment at Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura. The emphasis was given to the needs of women, esp. pregnant and women with infants, old persons, physically challenged and the weaker sections.
The team also carried out awareness campaigns in the relief camps in Saharsa to prevent epidemics in the town already hosting twice its own population. The team members also helped local administrative bodies to stream line the relief distribution process and made practical suggestions to ensure that it reaches to all the sections of the society.
Darkness and Hunger are the biggest threats to the victims of the one of the biggest man-made disasters this nation has ever seen. The Department of Social Work is the only one which could understand and act by providing infant food to the lactating mothers who are incapable of breast-feeding their child and torches to fight the enemies of the night like poisonous water snakes. These efforts have been applauded by all the agencies including the state and media operating in the area.
Primary Health Centre at Bhutahi Bandh: A Ray of Hope for Many
After the gloomy scenes that have dominated our psyche for the past many days, this update brings in something to smile about. The functioning of the Primary Health Centre at Bhutahi Bandh in a smooth way brings in a sense of achievement, a sense of making a dent in this vast expanse of destruction and death. Hundreds of people are patiently queuing up every day to be examined by one of the four doctors. Initially it was estimated that the Centre would cater to the needs of 5000-7000 people but at present it is providing services to more than 40,000 people. The Centre is filling up the wide gap left by the absence of any kind of medical facilities in the vicinity. Dr. Jha who was part of the first team and is back on the field with the third team reiterates the fact that, “...earlier the State was missing but now the State is callously missing.... particularly medicinal intervention, which has become the nucleus of all other intervention.” After losing their livelihood, their home, and their hearth what was left with them was their personal health which is now at stake and this has prioritised the need for medical intervention. Similar kinds of ailments are surfacing, like ear infection which can be traced to the use of contaminated water. The volunteers are also doing a commendable job and are being assisted by the TISS volunteers in running the show smoothly. Looking at the pattern of health complaints that the medicos are confronting in the area, demand for a fresh list of medicines have been communicated. These include:
- Iron Folic Acid Tablets
- Cough Syrup
- 2nd and 3rd generation antibiotics
- Anti-fungal Cream
- Steroid + Antibiotic Cream
- Eye and Ear Drops like Tearplus, Lubrigel, Mesol etc.
- Calcium Tablets
- Multi Vitamin Syrup
- Albendazole (syrup and tablets)
- Apart from medicines, one other item that is the need of the hour is 20-litre plastic buckets, for purifying water.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Bihar Flood Relief Network Solidarity March
Major New DU project for Flood Relief in Bihar
See the report in published in 'The Hindu', 17th September 2008 Click Here
See another news item at India eDUnews.net retrieved on 17th September 2008 Click Here
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Fresh request to all the DONORs and FRIENDS
The team working at the base camp Saharsa has recently updated that there is huge requirement of medicines and infant milk powder. The list of medicines are already posted in our blog. We, therefore request all our friends and supporters to concentrate on collecting medicines and infant milk powder. The third team of volunteers are leaving on 16th September 2008.
Mobile Medical Unit fully functional at the Bhutahi Baandh
Update 10th September
It was observed that the area closest to the river bank has been occupied by the more dominant sections of the society. Hence they have relatively greater access to relief material and medical care. On the other hand people from lower castes are located significantly away in the interiors and consequently their access to relief is negligible. The team has therefore deliberately identified and situated another camp approximately 7 kms beyond the Jurao camp.
Another area identified for intervention is Majhouva where more than a lakh people have coming from 250 villages. Here the DSW team will work with HelpAge to set up a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU). While HelpAge will provide the mobile van, the DSW team has committed to organizing the doctors, volunteers and medicines.
Following are the levels at which the students have been working:
At evacuation point, provision of relief material like torches and biscuits with focus on pregnant and elderly women. ORS is also being administered at this juncture.
Begining today, the second medical camp located in the interiors will be functional.
The team has reported massive cases of malnourishment.
Required urgently are the following medicines:
· I/V FLUID- 5, 10 rl
· INJECTIONS- TT, VOVERON, RANTAC, MVI
· IRON FOLIC ACID
· MULTI VITAMINS
· DIGENE
· ALBENDAZOLE
· NEUROBION
· PERINORM
· COUGH SYRUP/TABLETS
· CREAMS- Antifungal/Antibacterial/Anti bacterial/anti microbial/Diclofenac/Vaseline etc.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Relief Centre at DSW, DU
Monday, September 8, 2008
Financial Update
1. Cash Collection:...................................... Rs. 6,45,607.00
2. Collection in Kind:.................................. Rs. 42,00,000.00
3. University Contribution received:............ Rs. 90,000.00
3. University Contribution assured:............. Rs. 6,35,000.00
Plan of Intervention at Bhutahi Bandh
Apart from the existing collaboration with HelpAge India, the team Department of Social Work, D.U., has also decided to work with JURAO, another group working for the most marginalized of the victims of the brutal swings of river KOSI. As part of this initiative they have reached out with relief material to three thousand families on either side of the Bhutahi Bandh (Triveniganj Block).
The Plan of Intervention for Bhutahi Bandh, Triveniganj Block, Supaul District as communicated by our team is as follows:
1. Phase I- Consisting of approximately a 10 day period wherein the team shall reach out with and organize needs with the resources currently available as also facilitating the initiatives of JURAO.
2. Phase II- A 15-20 day period during which family kits containing dry ration, immediate consumables, biscuits, ORS, Candles, Matchboxes and other items required for daily living will be distributed such that a routine for the rescued victims is established.
3. Phase III- A 45 day time frame to begin with, where the team shall be involved in Damage Assessment and shall also liaison with other organizations in making provisions of specific need based support through a massive advocacy exercise.
Please note- The team has specified the following items as required urgently:
Medicines (Syrup and Tablets)
- Multivitamins
- Micronutrients
- Iron Folic Acid
- Paracetamol
- Plain Ciproflox
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Second Team of DSW on their way to Saharsa
The name of the Team Members are : Mr. Farrukh Faheem (Team Leader), Mr. Manish Jha, Mr. Ankit Joshi, Mr. Vinay Kumar, Mr. Nikhil Aggarwal, Mr. Rohit Bharti, Mr. Vivek Vardhan, and Mr. Amarjeet (Non-Teaching Member)
Relief Material worth Rs. 2.5 Million sent to Saharsa
The relief materials despatched to Saharsa Base Camp set up by DSW largely contains medicines, ORS sachets, infant milk powder, tarpaulin sheets, slippers, torches, candles, match boxes, clothes, etc.
Financial update
Please click here for financial update till 5 th sept
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pD0oywN8OgeDu3X0qNzrLcw
Fight for Every Morsel: An Account from Madhepura
Dr. Manoj Jha and Kaivalya Desai from DSW visited the Madhepura town along with the team from TISS. The site at Madhepura was worse than expected.
- Many areas of Madhepura town have around 2 to 3 feet of water. The team observed a lot of economic loss in the district as the life in the main township has come to a complete halt because of water getting into the town.
- The team visited the relief camp at T.P. College in Madhepura which had around 25000 people. The situation in the camp was extremely worse with people crying for emergency relief. In addition to this the entire administration was in a complete mess.
- Two of the team members witnessed a small food riot in the camp where two persons were fighting over a sack of rice. These two persons came from the same village. More over the policemen who were standing there started clapping and laughing at the site.
Death and Despair in Relief Camps
Updates from the field: 4th Sept '08
Group A visited the following places in Basantpur Block in Supaul district of Bihar on Day 2:-
1. Kataiyya
2. Kosi Barrage
3. Kusaha Dam
4. Kasoni-Musahari
5. Sripur
Apart from that Group also went to Sripur-Haripur area of Sunsari District of Nepal.
At all these places the group was accompanied by a team from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and one person from Help Age India.
Following are the observations made by the team:-
- The damage to lives and property is on an unprecedented scale. All along the 100 km drive to Kusaha (in Saptari district in Nepal) near Birpur in Supol district in Bihar, we saw people living in relief camps or living by the side of the roads in makeshift structures (plastic sheds) or anything impromptu chosen.
- Most of the camps were run by local and voluntary groups.
- There is a conspicuous absence of international donor agencies as far a running camps are concerned.
- At Katiyya in Basantpur block in Birpur Panchayat, we saw a large settlement of temporary huts living along the sides of the road. There were at least 35,000 to 50,000 huts in this area and an estimated 1 lakh plus population of families from Basantpur block.
- The people were in a state of helplessness, anger, frustration and despair. Everyone approaching them or they approaching anyone is unspoken dialogue on and around hope. Basic needs in these kind of situation such as food and protective shelters are conspicously missing and one can easily imagine the stage of medicinal help. Image a population of one lakh and you cannot spot any body offering medicinal help.
- These people are here since August 21. Apart from providing the people with plastic sheets for building their huts, no help from the district administration had reached them so far.
- People are surviving on eating roasted ‘chooda’ which is supplied by some local groups. We shall not like to comment upon the quality of Chooda (called chirwa in Delhi) for there are other unmet and unattended issues.
- Many people are falling ill – diahorrea, headache and fever are common complaints. No medical help is available.
- Some people have died due to ailments – cases of people dying after vomiting 2-3 times.
- As many as 25,000 people in Nepal and 75,000 people from Basantpur, Raghopur, Chatapur and Pratapganj have reportedly died by the river washing them away or due to drowning.
- There are people in Mohanpur area who are marooned (5-7kms from Kataiyya).
- People have paid anything from Rs.1000/- to Rs. 5000/- to boatmen get rescued.
- The poor and the dalits have suffered the most in terms to damage to lives and property. People who had pucca houses and double storied structures were able to survive when the flooding happened, as they could live in their terraces till the boats reached to rescue them. The poor had no option but to wade through the strong water currents with the river in full spate to survive, leading to many deaths.
- People are surviving by selling their jewellery and utensils in the nearby markets.
- There is an air of despondency among the people which we shared with them as we left from the spot.
- Similar settlements were there along the way before and into the Nepal side. However, settlements on the Nepal side looked more ‘settled’.
- The hutments on the Nepal side were also running into thousands – at least 50,000 huts by conservative estimates.
- These settlements were on the left side of the elevated road on which we were driving. This side is where the river originally flows, usually covering the entire left side stretch right upto the edge of the road. Due to the dam breach, the river now covers the entire right side stretch – running into hundred square kms. This is where the people (now living on the left side) originally used to live and cultivate their fields. All one can see now is miles of water.
- Help being offered by the Nepalese government is better organised than on the Indian side. People are given raw rice, dal and potatoes so that they can cook their own food.
- Many people from the Indian side are moving to the Nepal since they feel that better help is available on that side.
- At Kataiyya people told us that still many people from Nidam chowk, Birpur and Mohanpur are trapped and after many requests by the local people still the government is not making any effort to rescue the trapped people.
- At Kataiyya there are people from Bhimnagar Panchayat, Khojgama Panchayat and Baneli Patti.
- There are a lot of people nearly 50,000 who have crossed the border and are now living in the Nepal relief camps as the camps there are better organised.
- Cases of death in relief camps are also being reported by the people, which is deliberately being suppressed by the administartion.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Bitter-Sweet Events of the Day
The matter of utmost and urgent concern is that people have reported massive discrepancies and discrimination in the relief work. Private boats are charging upto 50,000/- including jewellery for rescuing the marooned people. On account of non-payment in certain cases there have been reports of people being dropped in the mid river. Absolute apathy on the part of boatmen and the administration has resulted in people waiting endlessly for the boats to ferry their families to safety. Even after repeated attempts boats are not reaching out intentionally to areas inhabited by Harijans. Even distribution of food items are being done far way (say 10 kms) from these vulnerable areas and groups forcing starved people to traverse this distance and that to on feet. In a few cases, the team successfully intervened on behalf of the elderly for tractor rides.
As mentioned earlier the relief camps in Saharsa are not in good condition and to add to it more and more refugees are flocking in giving rise to major medical concerns. DSW and Help Age’s first Mobile Medical Van, and the only one in the area would start functioning from 1500hrs today covering the relief camps. Dr. Ajay, a local physician, has joined the team to take care of the medical needs. There is a severe dearth of doctors in the area and all the available ones are neck-deep in relief work. A team of five para-medical staff with medicines worth Rs. 1lac will go with the second team from Delhi. Talks are also on to tap the alumni network of Aligarh Muslim University for more manpower. The team has assessed that the immediate need is for IVF bottles and Lactogen feed for babies whose mothers are unable to feed them. Here in Delhi, talks are on with various medical training institutions for trained medical relief workers. It has been planned that the first team would return two days after the second team reaches and the initial touch-basing is done.
Towards the afternoon the team visited a place which is 100kms away from the base camp and 55-60 kms away from the District Headquarters in Supaul. This place is in Basantpur Block where supposedly more than 100 villages had been submerged. People have made their own temporary shelters of plastic sheets or whatever material was readily available to them since the 21st of August. Approximately 30,000 to 35,000 huts accommodating a population of nearly 1 lakh are clustered at this place. Supplies of relief are very inadequate and are not reaching the beneficiaries in a proper way. Apart from the major chunk that came on 21st, everyday there is an addition of new families to the area which has already exceeded its carrying capacity. This is one area that they have identified apart from Bhuthi bandh and Triveniganj. The name of the place is Tathaiya Hydropower Station which is basically closed now and does not operate. The hutments that were referred to earlier are close to Tathaiya at Basantpur Block in Birpur, Supaul.
From there the team moved to the Indo-Nepal border also and went as far as Kosadh which is the place where the breach took place. In general the Nepalese army does not allow civilians to move in that area. The team noticed that even on the other side of the border (Nepal) there are huge numbers of people in hutments. But interestingly on the Nepal side the relief management and the relief operation is much better as compared to the Indian side. This was evident as a good number of them have regular electricity supply through generators and apart from that they have a regular supply of eatables.
The team and Help Age’s MMV has become functional but the team is debating on the logistics like travelling 200 kms each day which is practically not feasible and nor desirable. In this case the team in consultation with Help Age is considering other alternatives. Dr. Jha informed that apart from medical needs, the team will cater to needs for which they have the potential or resources available. He emphasised on the point that the most important and basic need at this hour is for medicines, medical help, food and tarpaulin sheets, the last item specially so because of the impending rains in the days to come.
Bhuthi Bandh: Telling its own Tragic Tale
Thursday, September 4, 2008
FINANCIAL POSITION as on 3rd September 2008
Collection In Kind: Rs 15,000,00(approx).
University Contribution (assured): Rs 6,35,000 (approx).
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE FLOOD RELIEF PROGRAMME
AHAD Society for Welfare and Development
AIIMS
Ambedkar and Ganguli Hostels (W)
Amul India Ltd.
Christian Colony
Deptt. Security Staff
Dr. Udaya Yogi, Dept. of Philosophy, IP College
Faculty DSSW
Faculty of Law
Gwyer Hall Hostel
Hansraj College
Hindu and Ramjas Colleges
India Habitat Centre Area
Indraprastha College
International Students Hostel (Men)
International Students Hostel (Women)
Jubilee Hall Hostel
Kashmir Earthquake Relief Fund
Kirorimal College
Kothari Hostel
Lady Sri Ram College
M.A(Previous) Student
M.A. (P) Batch 2008-10
M/S Focus Energy Ltd.
Mansarovar Hostel and Arts Faculty
Monu and Meeta (D/o Dr. Manoj Jha)
Mr. Ajay Kumar
Ms. Amritananda Chakravorty
Mr. Anil Kr. Chauhan
Mr. D.V Gupta
Mr. Danuder Mohini Ahuja
Mr. Dipak Mittal (JAGO Party)
Mr. Dheeraj Virmani, COSRO
Mr. Edgar Gramiger (ACT India)
Mr. Jitendra (Alumnus DSSW)
Mr. Pawan Kansal C/o Jagdamba Exports
Mr. Prabal
Mr. R. K. Suri
Mr. Ravi
Mr. S. Grover, Director, Vidya Bharti School, Rohini
Mr. Sushil
Mr. Vijay Kumar
Mr.G.D.Mehta
Ms Malathi ILLL
Ms. Akanksha (DSSW)
Ms. Alka Kumar (DSSW)
Ms. Deepakshi (Miranda House)
Ms. Ipshita Bhatt (D/0 Prof. Sanjai Bhatt)
Ms. Kriti Dheer (DSSW)
Ms. Mayuri Kakoti
Ms. Mohuwa Bhowal (Alumnus DSSW)
Ms. Supriya Rao, Deptt. of Social Work, DU
Ms. Poonam Gulalia, Deptt. of Social Work, DU
Ms. Pushpanjali, Deptt. of Social Work, DU
Ms. Ridhima Mehra (Alumnus DSSW)
Ms. Shagufta
Ms. Shilpi Soni
Ms. Shraddha
Ms.Charu (Alumnus DSSW)
N E Women’s Hostel
North Campus Area
P G Women Hostel
PG Men’s Hostel
PT Education
Rashtriya Prayojan
School of Open Learning Area
Shagun Trading Company
Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Ltd.
Staff of DS Group
Student World Assembly (SWA- India)
Swasthaakshar Trust
V K R V Rao Hostel
Vishwavidyala Metro Station and nearby area
Zoology Department
PLAN OF ACTION FOR INTERVENTION IN NORTH BIHAR
a) To contribute in relief and rehabilitation of flood affected victims on long term basis.
b) To bring back experiences of learning into the knowledge system of the university.
We have already started our intervention from August 28, 2008 and a team of seven students and one non teaching staff led by Dr. Manoj Kumar Jha, Reader, Department of Social Work has set up base camp at Saharsa. This team left with relief material worth Rupees twelve lacs collected from various quarters.
Our Vice Chancellor Prof. Deepak Pental has contributed Rupees twenty lacs to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and has also supported the Volunteer based UDAI project of Delhi University. The University has given us all support to make requisite intervention in affected areas. All Colleges/ Departments of Delhi University are joining us in this task.
In view of the severity and the magnitude of the problem, the department realizes that post-rescue interventions can be made at four levels and that too in collaboration with civil society organizations based in Delhi as well as in Bihar:
1. Reaching out to affected families and individuals in the worst affected districts such as Madhepura/Purnea/Araria/Saharsa
2. Helping them with necessary and scarce items such as - packed food, medicines, chlorine tablets, torches, mosquito-nets/repellant, plastic sheets (tarpaulin ones) etc.
3. To liaison and work with government and non-government agencies. To focus especially on children, elderly, Dalits, Muslims and extreme backward class communities as their vulnerability is relatively high compared to other groups and communities in the same region.
WHAT WE INTEND TO DO:
We intend to work at three levels- immediate relief, long term post rescue relief and long term rehabilitation. For the same our strategy is as under:
1. Identification of an area (we might focus on a cluster of villages alone) and there too identify the vulnerable locations and populations
2. Development of base and network with government and non-government agencies (for facilitating relief and rehabilitation packages and measures)
3. The impromptu relief camps need better trained staff in the initial phase and professional social workers can have a better impact on coordination
4. Taking a team of twenty students with at least three faculty members which shall liaison and network with the district administration ensuring coordination and cooperation from different government departments as well as NGOs.
5. We also realise that sanitation will be a major problem for these areas as most of the people are residing on the impromptu found cluttered spaces. We intend to liaison and work with organisation based in Delhi as well as the ones working locally.
6. Ready to eat food is more suitable for these areas as availability of fuel will be a problem.
7. We are also informed that ORS packets are not adequate for the affected areas. There is a need for bleaching powder, lime and chlorine tablets immediately for the affected districts.
OUR PARTNERS:
The following organizations are collaborating with us in this effort:
· Help Age India is collaborating, in intervening at two levels
(a) providing relief materials
(b) providing humane services directly.
· DSSW Society is a parent body supporting us with the management of the Project.
· Colleges/Departments of Delhi University have assisted us in Fund raising.
· PAIRVI Associate, a Delhi based registered NGO having income tax exemption under Section 80G.
· Civil society organizations in Delhi, Bihar and other parts of country;
And
YOU…
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hear the Drowning Voices
Update from Ground Zero: Base Camp, Saharsa, Bihar
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 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.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Nodal Points
Department Of Social Work,
3, University Road, (near University Metro Station),
Delhi University
Delhi-110007.
Phone: 011-32021499, 011-27667147
SOUTH DELHI-I:
HelpAge
C14, Qutub Institutional Area;
New Delhi
Mr. Ashok Arora (Dy. Dir. Admin)
Ph: 9811490075, 011-42030415.
SOUTH DELHI-II:
Pairvi
G-30, First Floor
Lajpat Nagar III
Ph: 011-29841266
EAST DELHI:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College
Yamuna Vihar, Main Wazirabad Road
Delhi-110094
Contact Person: Dr. Atul Pratap Singh (Head)
Phone No: 9868981107
Supplies Required
a) Cheque in favour of : Delhi School of Social Work Society
b) Kind:
Biscuits
ORS;
Materials of Women hygiene;
Clothes;
Utensils;
Chlorine Tablets;
Medicines Required Urgently (Syrup and Tablets);
-Multivitamins
-Micronutrients
-Iron
-Folic Acid
-PCM
- Plain Ciproflox
Candles;
Match Box;
Utensils;
Torches (Everready Jeevan Sathi);
Slippers;
Milk powder;
Blankets;
Bed sheets;
Ropes
Extend your support
a. Help a child have access to ORS in order to survive amidst the catastrophic fury of river Kosi
b. Go on to make provision of vital items such as MILK for few days in some families
c. Lend a hand to some families (where the aerial supplies have not reached so far) have EATABLE ITEMS such as biscuits etc.
d. Assist families to have access of a TORCH where power is off for days and months......
e. Help bare feet have a pair of SLIPPERS
Most of all, it is going to make at least a FAMILY smile in spite of the ferocity of the river damaging life and times.
About the Situation in Bihar
Given the fact the Kosi has a track record of flowing in excess of 9 lakh cusecs; the Bihar government is indeed worried that a monumental effort will have to be put in to rescue the people. “We will have to rescue more than 10 lakh people in relief camps. And we will have to keep them for more than 6 months as it will take time to plug the breach. More significantly, the flow of the Kosi will have to shift to its original course and all this will take time,” the chief minister said.This is going to probably be the world’s largest evacuation programme with an alarming number like 50 lakhs and more people to be evacuated. And needless to mention, each of us as individuals in our own capacities have a social responsibility to respond to this calamity.