Voices from the voiceless

Assam experienced a series of severe flooding this year and saw the deaths of as many as 104 people. According to ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) flood affected 26,31,343 people in 2525 villages under 26 districts out of 33 districts in Assam as on 22^nd July 2020. Heavy rainfall in the state since the month of May along with rainfall in the uphill neighbouring states have triggered massive floods and landslides. The release of excess water from the hydro project dams in Bhutan, Arunachal and Nagaland further aggravated the situation.  The raging water of Brahmaputra and its tributaries crossed the danger mark in several areas, breaching earthen embankments and inundating villages.

Caritas India responded to the crisis in Dhemaji, Morigaon districts of Assam through the support of Siemens, HCL Foundation and CAFOD. There is the provision of unconditional cash support, non-food item and hygiene kits for the most affected families. Under the support. Under unconditional cash support, a total of 600 families; non-food items to 320 families; water filter to 310 families and hygiene kits to 1950 families are to be supported.

As on date, 500 out of 1000 young girls and adults received wash kits in Dhemaji district of Assam under CAFOD supported the project.  600 beneficiaries were supported with unconditional cash transfer.  “We all are left out whenever there is any support from government and NGOs because of the distance and transportation problem in our village.  But today we are very much thankful to Caritas India for making as smile by your visit in our villages and providing us cash and wash kits,” said the group of people.

“I am very much grateful to Caritas India for the WaSH kit and unconditional cash transfer.  For the last many months, I did not go out for my daily work because of lockdown but today with the money I received from Caritas India will really helped me to purchase some basic food items” said Lolita from Bishnupur village.

“I am so happy when I received the money in my account. This will increase my household assets, consumption and food security” said Hemoni Boro from Bishnupur.

“Money, I received from my account is very much useful because these days I can not go out from the village and earn money due to lockdown therefore with this money I will be able to purchase some food items for my family members” said Nirmal Boro from Bishnupur village.

Mrs. Tagar Sutradhar of Buriya chapori village one of the beneficiary under HCL supported humanitarian aid project said “I am on behalf of all the community members of Buriya chapori village would like to thank Caritas India for providing us relief materials like tarpaulins, water filter, mosquito nets and sleeping mats at this hour of difficulties.  The relief that we have received today is one of such first-ever relief materials received by the village from any organization.  Every year during the flood we used to drink contaminated flood water as there was no other source of drinking water due to the flood. But now we can start drinking clean water with the water filter that we received from Caritas India.”