The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has today launched an appeal to provide emergency relief and medical assistance in India's northern and northeastern states of Bihar and Assam, which have suffered the worst flooding in 25 years.
The floods which began in late June, have worsened considerably in recent weeks due to the heavy monsoon rains which have swelled water levels and breached embankments in the main river systems flowing south into India from the Himalayas. More than 230 people have been killed and 1.5 million left homeless, the majority of whom are living in makeshift shelters located on river embankments, roads and other available high ground. Nearly 20 million people in 13,000 villages across Assam and Bihar are affected and extensive damage has been caused to crops, roads and communication infrastructures.
The International Federation has appealed for 2.9 million Swiss francs (2.1 million USD) which will help the Indian Red Cross provide food, shelter and medical care for 200,000 people over the next six months. The Federation has already released 180,000 Swiss francs from its emergency relief fund for initial relief purchases.
"We have already exhausted our stockpiles of relief materials in Assam and Bihar and are expecting the situation to worsen in both states before the monsoon ends in September," says Dr. Vimala Ramalingam, Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross. "There are still villages that are totally cut off and the challenge now is to get help into those areas as quickly as possible through our volunteers."
The Indian Red Cross has an extensive network of volunteers who have been trained in rescue and relief techniques through a comprehensive first aid and community health training programme. As well as distributing food, shelter and other relief items to thousands of families in the two states, the Indian Red Cross has also sent mobile medical units to the worst affected areas as well as undertaking search and rescue missions.
Bihar which is one of India's poorest states, has been particularly hard hit as many districts not affected by floodwaters pouring in from Nepal, have been suffering from extreme drought. The combined effect on the local economy has been devastating. Approximately 95% of standing crops are not expected to survive and the next harvest is not until March 2003, spelling hardship for millions of farmers in the state.For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Delhi
Patrick Fuller, Regional Information Delegate - Tel: + 91 111 685 86 71/ + 91 98 100 99 794
In Geneva
Jemini Pandya, Acting Head, Media Service - Tel: + 41 22 730 45 70 / + 41 79 217 3374
Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer - Tel: + 41 79 217 33 45 / + 41 79 416 3881 (duty phone)