24 March 2009
In September 2008, the river Kosi broke through its embankments and flooded a huge area of northern India, leaving thousands of people in need of support. Thanks to your donations the India floods appeal raised nearly £1 million but we still require your continued support.
Our three partners – Churches Auxiliary for Social Action, Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) and JUDAV in Bihar – have finished relief work and are now planning for much needed recovery and rehabilitation work.
Partners respond
In January, the Bihar government was finally able to divert the river back to its old course. However, the devastation caused by the river shifting 120km eastwards has left thousands of people without adequate shelter or income.
One of the main challenges is the stagnant water left behind by the flooding. According to Sajid Mohammad, Christian Aid's regional emergency officer for South Asia, 'food production in the Kosi region remains a major concern'.
'Thousands have lost their livelihoods as their fields remain waterlogged or damaged by deposits of sand. Farmers are anxious to find alternative ways to earn an income so they can support their families but they lack the finance and skills.'
An estimated 500,000 people have migrated in search of work. Of those who remain, people are still reliant on food supplies from our partners and the government. Seven months after the floods, many families that lost their homes are without any shelter.
Christian Aid partners are helping farmers and labourers to get back to work by providing cash for work programmes.
EHA now has some new equipment at its hospital in Madhepura including an ambulance with an advanced cardiac life support system, and a minor surgery kit. They are also running mobile medical clinics to provide medical services to communities living in remote areas.
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