Thursday, October 9, 2008
Team 5 of DSW reaches Saharsa on 7th September 2008
Dr. Atul Pratap Singh of B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi, is leading the team 5 which reached Saharsa with medical and other reinforcements for the school and hospital run by the Department volunteers. The members include Mr. Zaheer Ahmad, Ms. Mayuri Kakoti, Ms. Nida Siddiqui, Ms. Prabhleen, Ms. Mali Devi and Ms. Preeti from Department of Social Work, University and Mr. Azeem, Mr. Junaid, Mr. Ovais and Mr. Pratibh from B R Ambedkar College and Ashish Kumar and Mr. Chandra Bhusan from the Department of Politcal Science, University of Delhi. The members will work along with Team 4 for a couple of days before taking over from them.
Smiles Break Out
Hindustan Times, 30th September 2008
Smiles Break Out on the faces of children as they sing a nationalist song at an informal class run by volunteers of Delhi University's School of Social Work attempting to recreate a sense of normalcy at a settlement which is a home to 20,000 flood refugees. Lakhs of children are out of school since families fled villages, government schools have morphed into refugee camps, and education is badly hit. - Hindustan Times, 30th September 2008
Disaster in Bihar: A Report from TISS Assessment Team
This report is prepared on the basis of a 5-day visit to the flood affected parts of Bihar by a four-member team from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The team visited three districts of Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura during the period September 3 to 7, 2008. The TISS team was initially based in Saharsa for data collection purposes and moved from there to nearby districts. The team worked in collaboration with a team of faculty and students from the Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi University. Some of the data presented in this report is therefore, based on the shared data from both the institutions.
RCH Intervention at Bhutahi Baandh
Team 4 started its operations with an extensive training on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Care focussing on the victims of the flood affected area. Two team members Ms. Abhishweta and Sister Teresa went to the interiors of the community at the Bhutahi Baandh and identified around 18-20 pregnant women for intervention. A group of the pregnant women was formed and a RCH awareness programme was started in "Humari Paathshaala" in the afternoon.
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.
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
Update from the field: 02 October 2008
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.
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
Jirwa Morh, Saharsa was identified by the Team 4 as a new spot for further relief operations. The place is 35 kilometers from Sharasa Base Camp of UDAI-II. Till date this place has received no relief from any agency and is equally affected with flood. The team is in the process of preparing a strategy plan for the area.
As things get tough, the tough get going...
Update from the field: 30th September 2008
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.
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
Students from Amity reached Saharsa with a bus load of relief materials. They joined our Team 4 and worked for a day at Bhutahi Baandh. After visiting all our intervetion areas they decided to hand over all their relief materials for distribution to us. They were highly satisfied with our acceptance in the community. Amity students have assured the team 4 for further collaboration with project UDAI-II in Delhi.
Team 4 Reaches Saharsa on 24th September 2008
A highly energetic and dedicated team of volunteers under the leadership of Dr. Md. Shahid reached Saharsa on 24th September 2008. The team included Mr. Aditya Kumar, Ms. Abhishweta, Sister Teresa, Ms. Malvika, Ms. Tanya Jain, Mr. Ajay Saini, and Mr. Sanjay Kumar Bharti from Department of Social Work, University of Delhi and Mr. Kumar Satyam, Mr. Kaustav Ranjan, and Mr. Abhishek Tiwari from B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi. The Team immediately upon reaching base camp did an extensive training on components of Reproductive and Child Health for the volunteers.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Field Activities of Team 3
Team 3 reached Saharsa on 17th September and highly motivated by the activities of the previous teams started field action from the next day. Team members did rapid assessment of the work done so far by the department and based on PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) Techniques they undertook resource mapping of the area. The team adapting to the changing needs precipitated by the change in water levels introduced new modules of learning in the school - "Humari Paathshaala" - run by the DSW volunteers. The new modules focussed on the awareness component and along with basic education incorporated information on hazards of flood water and water-borne diseases. This was an attempt in response to the outbreaks of diarrohea and enteric fever from many parts of the flood affected areas due to the drinking of flood water.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
(The Head of the Department of Social Work, Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, went to Saharsa to take a note of the field situation and the intervention activities undertaken by the Department of Social Work. He writes in his own words about his four-day visit to the flood affected area in Bihar.)
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.
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.
Our intervention ‘Hamari Paathshala’ (Our School) is functioning very well. It attracts around 175-200 children per day. Using innovative techniques our volunteers are providing critical health related messages like not to use canal for bathing or drinking purposes. The fundamental purpose to start this paathshala is to engage the children so that they can come out of the trauma caused by the distress and the disaster. Looking at the response and participation of children as well as the villagers, I believe we have achieved the same.
UDAI’s Health Volunteers are the only one catering to the needs of displaced persons through ‘Humara Asptaal’ (Our Hospital). We have got two doctors (Dr. Arvind K Rai and Dr. Rajesh) through ‘Doctors for You’ organisation. Our doctors are providing treatment to more than 600 patients per day.Earlier AIIMS doctors, Dr. Saket and Dr. Harsh were working here for more than 20 days and have gone back for some official formalities. They will join us back in some time. In addition to this our mobile medical unit (MMU) is responding need based calls from distant villages.
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.
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.
Our team also met Mr. Chandrama Prasad Singh, DDC, Saharasa and Dr. Azad Hind Prasad who agreed to give us a vehicle to make our mobile health intervention in Pattarghat and Sonbarsa. We also had a dialogue with local press and other social activists. Mr. Ajay Singh, senior correspondent of Hindustan Times joined me during my visit to various places and appreciated our efforts. He said “Delhi University is the first university who came forward with a volunteerism spirit of its own kind. We appreciate the efforts of Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other university authority in this regard.”
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.
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.
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