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Appeal

India

Assistance to Flood Affected in Orissa – IND111  

Appeal Target: US$ 819,090

Balance Requested:  US$ 568,327

 

Geneva, 10 November 2011

Following heavy rains the Mahanadi and other rivers in the Orissa state of India have wreaked havoc submerging around 4,000 villages spread over 19 districts and leaving 80 dead as the state government is speeding up the relief and rescue operations for 2.2 million affected people. Around 80,720 hectors of cultivated land is totally submerged. Food stocks, possessions and livelihoods have been destroyed. Around 160,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas and moved to 275 relief camps.

The flood is considered to be the worst Orissa has faced in the last three decades. It caused a number of breaches in the embankment covering almost all parts of the district. The flood waters ravaged the thatch houses of the villagers and completely ruined their crops. Many were rendered homeless and had to sleep under open skies on roof tops or on the embankments of rivers. The most disadvantaged villagers, particularly small and marginal farmers bore the brunt of the situation. Many cattle belonging to the affected were marooned and left without fodder. A number of them were washed away by the strong river currents.

The ACT members, Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) and the Lutheran World Service India Trust (LWSIT) have started their coordinated response for the disaster affected marginalised communities. Through this appeal, both CASA and LWSIT plans to extend relief and early recovery support to a maximum of 3,500  and 4,500 families respectively in the sectors of food, non-food items, livelihood and shelter.