After nearly 2 weeks of relief operations in flood-affected Bihar, World Vision has reached over 30,000 people in a full-scale response that hopes to cover two districts and up to 125,000 villagers.
The response, which will cost around Rs. 8 crore (around US$1.8 million), is in full swing in the districts of Madhepura and Saharsa.
“We are reaching around 5000 people every day with ready-to-eat food for breakfast and cooked food for lunch and dinner in the camps around Saharsa,” said Franklin Joseph, Director – Humanitarian Emergency Affairs, World Vision India. “Looking at the number of the people in the camps and needs that would arise as they move back to their homes when the water recedes we have added temporary shelter material, hygiene kits and water containers to our survival kits.” World Vision’s survival kits also include rice, lentils, powdered pulses 1 kg (Sat-tu), flat rice 1 kg (chud-da), two packets of biscuits, candles and match boxes.
Since rising water broke the banks of the Kosi River in late August, an estimated 3.4 million people have felt the effects of the Bihar flooding.
Water levels remain dangerously high, nearly 100 people have died, and cases of skin diseases like prickly heat, measles and boils, water borne diseases and other opportunistic illnesses are settling in, especially among children.
World Vision commenced distributions of survival kits on August 28, and has continued throughout despite difficulties with access. An assessment carried out on September 8 in the districts of Madhepura and Saharsa has revealed that the displaced are still in urgent need of basic items such as rice, pulses, candles and shelter.
The Indian government has responded to the disaster by setting up “mega” camps which now house around 10,000 displaced families. As well, airdrops of food have reached some of the worst affected areas where roads and bridges have become impassable.
Government sources report that many people are still missing due to flood water or are refusing to leave their homes for fear of theft. Others are already returning to their villages from the camps. With a second wave of flooding predicted, this leaves many people in grave danger.
As well as Madhepura and Saharsa, World Vision is making plans at the government’s invitation to conduct relief response and assessment of needs in the as-yet unreached area of Kuhasa. For further information, contact:
Operations: Franklin Joseph +91 98407 83999
Communications and media: Jayanth Vincent +91 98400 64165 | 
