Broadwell Christian Hospital Provides Flood relief to affected people in Banda, UP

A Report

October 2005

Previous
left arrow key Next
right arrow key Close Move

Introduction on Banda Flood
Banda is an adjoining district of Fatehpur where the Broadwell Christian Hospital is based. River Yamuna Flows through the northeastern border of the district and River Ken flow in the Southern part of the district. The district Banda is prone to the Flooding during monsoons due to increase in the water level in these rivers. The heavy rains in southern adjoining districts of Madhya Pradesh from 4th of July 2005 had caused the sudden increase of water level in River Ken and villages near the river were submerged under water. Even part of the Banda city was under water on the initials days of flooding.Increase of water level in the river started from 4th of July2005 and continued till 11th of July2005. Nearly 200 villages were severely affected by high flooding and Government estimated around 6000 families directly affected. All the mud wall houses had collapsed in the marooned villages, and the families left without shelters. Household dry food storages had been washed away and this had added to the food scarcity. Fodder and green grasses were also destroyed due to water logging. Fodder shortage for cattle in the effected villages became another major problem. Destruction of electricity supply line and damage of Kaccha roads worsened the situation of the affected villages, leaving the people without electricity and transportation.

Need Assessment
By knowing the disastrous situation of flooding in Banda district through the news, the team from Broadwell Christian Hospital, Fatehpur visited the area and conducted a first hand need assessment in the marooned areas of Banda Town and villages. Rescue and evacuation operations were being conducted by the army personnel during the visit. The team interviewed the affected people, who had left their belongings and taken shelter in the temporary Camps in Government buildings and schools. On our visit to the village we happened to meet the State Minister who also represents the affected area and he explained to the team about the most affected area and asked us to start the relief activities. Then the team met with officials from the district administration. The district chief development officer explained about the situation and the action taken by Government and handed over a district map with affected villages highlighted. He pointed out the shortage of plastic sheet for temporary shelter with Government and requested us to provide temporary shelters and allotted 5 most needy and remote villages for the relief work. These villages are known for criminals and backwardness, no non-governmental organizations and even government officials were willing to go to these villages. Then the team visited the Christian community to mobilize volunteers and have a coordinated relief work. They extended their full support and the District coordinator promised to provide volunteers for the relief activities.

Activities

1. Distribution of Polythine (Plastic) Sheets for Temporary Shelters.
Responding to the Government request and immediate need of the affected families, arrangements were made to get the polythene sheets soon, but due to lack of availability in large quantity from the local market, polythene sheets were purchased from Kanpur nd brought to Banda via Fatehpur due to damage in the bridge on the direct route to Banda from Kanpur. Christian youths from the local church volunteered for cutting and folding the plastics sheets. This helped faster distribution of sheets to the villages. District Chief Development Officer assigned the Sub Divisional Magistrate to help us in the distribution.

Based on the list on the affected families prepared by the Government and local Gram Panchayat, the polythene sheets were distributed to these affected families.

Distribution of these polythene sheets helped the families to make small shelter of 2-meter height and 3 meter space for a family to sleep. The families were very much grateful for the help given by Broadwell Christian hospital.

2. Distribution of dry food items
To help the affected families suffering from food scarcity and dry food items. We provided dry food items to 1000 affected and poor families from 5 villages. Each family as given 5 kgs of wheat, 2 kgs of Pulse (Chena) and 1 liter cooking oil. Chief Development Officer assigned the District Development Officer to help and make all the arrangement for the distribution. The food items were transported to villages by tractor and distributed to the villagers, the gram Panchayat Pradhan and the village development officer helped in the distribution. Villagers were grateful for the good quality oil, wheat and pulses.

Conclusion
With the timely assistance of EFICOR, the district administration, local community and coordination by disaster management unit of EHA, the Broadwell Christian Hospital could effectively provide the much needed relief to the flood affected villages of district Banda.