About five lakh people stranded; crops, cattle and infrastructure worth billions of rupees destroyed -- nightmarish floods have wreaked havoc in Bihar. Millions, with minimal food and potable water, yearn for aid.
Born in a flood, they named her Kosika
In the four worst-affected districts -- Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, and Saharsa -- over 2.27 million people have been severely impacted by the floods.
Aid has been pouring into Bihar. Organisations across the world have been coordinating relief operations. One such organisation -- American India Foundation seeks to rebuild the lives of the victims of this natural calamity.
'Bihar is destined to die. Nobody counts us'
In a statement, the AIF, which had earlier come to the aid of Gujarat earthquake (2001) and Tsunami (2004) victims, said the hard task of rebuilding lives will begin when the flood waters recede. 'The main focus of our work will be in the reconstruction phase when the long-term task of rebuilding communities will begin,' the AIF said in a press release.
Flood-ravaged Bihar struggles to stay afloat
Working with two existing NGO partners, Mamta and Sammaan Foundation, the AIF seeks to:
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Providing safe drinking water and access to hygiene and sanitation services. The NGOs will supply water purification tablets and organize basic toilet and waste disposal facilities.
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Informing flood-affected people about their property and possessions and what relief measures are available. Filling the information gap by creating an information clearinghouse where people can come to access such information.
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Rebuilding the lives of the flood victims by providing small no-interest loans ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000. The goal is to provide employment in the near term and create sustainable businesses that can anchor the local economy as it is rebuilt.
Those willing to join this effort can make a contribution at http://www.aifoundation.org/donate/ or mail a check payable to the American India Foundation to: American India Foundation (Re: BRF) 216 E 45th St, 7th Floor New York, NY 10017.
