New Delhi, 06th August, 2015: World Vision India declared a category III, national office response today to assist 100,000 people in India deeply affected by the floods. World Vision India’s National Disaster Management Teams (NDMTs) will provide immediate relief, livelihood and shelter assistance to the flood-hit communities across the country.
The death toll due to heavy rains and opening of dams in different parts of the country has risen to 180, with over 10 million people being affected on a large scale. Thousands of people have been forced to take shelter in relief camps and makeshift shelters.
“We saw that many people have set up makeshift tents in railway stations, as that is the only elevated structure around,” said Daniel Mung, Communications Specialist, World Vision India, who is currently travelling with an assessment team in West Bengal.
Massive flooding and numerous landslides have occurred in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Manipur, Rajasthan and Gujarat. 13,200 villages have been affected in West Bengal alone. In western states, 71 people have been killed in Gujarat and a total of 38 have died in Rajasthan and West Bengal. In the eastern states, 83 deaths have been reported.
There has been massive damage to crops, houses, roads, and bridges across all the affected states. In the state of West Bengal alone, which has borne the maximum brunt, 1,07,808 houses were completely damaged and over 3,68,238 houses were destroyed partly. Crops over an area of 7,97,848 hectares are damaged.
World Vision India has six affected Area Development Programmes (ADPs) that support more than 17,000 registered children. In places where target community members are affected, World Vision India has already started a response, by distributing food and other materials. World Vision India has distributed food to about 80 families that were affected in target communities in Bardhman ADP, West Bengal. It is also responding to the landslides that happened last month in Darjeeling – distributing non-food items kits (utensils, tarpaulin, blankets, mat and bucket), dry ration, hygiene and shelter kits to 1512 families.
“For many families, the floods have caused damage that will take years to recover from. World Vision India is committed to stay alongside those affected not only for immediate relief, but till their lives and livelihood is restored. World Vision India is focused on bringing the best of our experiences to ensure highest standards in our response,” said Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision India.
World Vision India is also coordinating with NGOs, community based organisations and the local government to assess the situation and mobilise response. Staff from the NDMT and from ADPs around the affected areas are being deployed for rapid assessment and immediate distribution of relief measures. World Vision India is also engaging local volunteers in the response.
In its response, World Vision India is planning to provide food, non-food items and hygiene kits, which are the urgent requirements at this point, to a population of 100,000, besides livelihood recovery support and shelter materials.
World Vision India is a Christian humanitarian organisation that serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender. Through development, relief and advocacy, we strive to create lasting change in the lives of children, their families and communities living in contexts of poverty and injustice. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries worldwide, and we have been in India since 1962. Today we work in over 6252 urban, rural and tribal communities spread over 163 districts across 26 states impacting the lives of 26 lakh children.