Monsoon
season this year has once again proved deadly for India and
caused widespread devastation. Heavy rains and subsequent flooding
claimed over 3,000 lives, with nearly one-third of those in
the state of Bihar. While these numbers are stark, they might
have been worse if not for the early preparedness and mitigation
efforts spearheaded by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) in
Bihar, which helped save hundreds of lives during the current
flood fury.
Seasonal flooding from the monsoon is now an annual phenomenon
in Bihar predominantly due to the River Ganges and its tributaries
overflowing their banks. Every year, 12 million IRCS members
and volunteers in 700 state and district branches effectively
respond to natural disasters such as floods.
To help communities prepare before disaster strikes, the IRCS
Bihar branch implemented a disaster risk reduction (DRR) programme
supported by the Department for International Development. Fifteen
of the most vulnerable communities identified in eight districts
including Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, Vaishali, Bhagalpur,
Nalanda, Aurangabad and Nawada benefited from the programme.
The Bihar DRR programme sponsored the construction of a relief
warehouse, a large raised platform and 20 raised tube wells.
This was in addition to the 100 tube wells already installed
as part of the 2004 flood mitigation programme.
Raised platforms and raised tube wells once again helped in
reducing deaths during the floods.
“In Muzaffarpur, one thousand families took shelter on
the Red Cross raised platform,” said Vadana, the disaster
preparedness supervisor at the IRCS Bihar state branch. “Villagers
in affected communities really appreciated the utility of the
raised tube wells during the floods. Because of their special
construction, people were able to get fresh drinking water out
of these wells and keep their loved ones safe and healthy. Trained
Red Cross volunteers also played a crucial role during the floods
by teaching families basic health tips.”
The utility and usefulness of these live-saving structures are
so appreciated by the state administration that it has ordered
the district authority to build similar structures in adjoining
districts and villages.
“The Bihar Red Cross branch was able to successfully scale
up its disaster risk reduction initiatives thanks to its committed
work force and volunteers,” explained Mr. S. P. Singh,
Honorary Secretary of the Bihar state branch. “Our community-based
approach is sustainable over the long run because it gives a
sense of ownership to the community members. The branch has
formed a pool of local trainers who focus primarily on disaster
management concepts such as community-based preparedness and
risk reduction activities.”
More than 160 volunteers took part in the disaster preparedness
trainings in first aid and public health awareness. These volunteers
have been instrumental in providing useful tips to the villagers
and helped in preventing water-borne diseases. Local innovations
like using empty bottles as life jackets proved effective as
many people were rescued from drowning.
Anil, a search and rescue team member from the Muzaffarpur Red
Cross district branch has saved 250 lives by ferrying people
safety out of the flooded areas.
“I have seen that Red Cross brings hope in the eyes of
the people who are affected during the floods,” Anil reflected.
“Whenever I am able to wipe someone's tears, I feel good.
I like it and that's why I am continuing to work with Red Cross.”
“I was trapped on the roof of the school for two days,”
recounts survivor Ram Prasad, a 40-year-old security guard who
found himself stranded. “I had nothing to eat, nowhere
to go and I was separated from my family.” Prasad’s
wife anxiously approached Red Cross volunteers during the relief
distribution after searching for him with no results. She urged
the Red Cross to find her husband. Happily, the Red Cross search
and rescue team saved him and reunited Prasad with his family.
With a greater level of awareness on how to reduce risk and
develop coping strategies, the communities in Bihar are taking
a more proactive role in their own risk management activities
and programmes. The sustained efforts of the Red Cross are gradually
bearing results and helping to reduce deaths due to natural
hazards.
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Red
Cross volunteers during relief distribution in flood affected
village in Bihar. (p16581)
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Relief
warehouse constructed under DFID programme. (p16582)
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