Winds of more than 126 kmp/h hit Gopalpur of Odisha between 0430 and 0530 hours IST on 11th October 2018 causing heavy damage worth Rs. 2,200 crores according to the Government assessment. Houses worth Rs. 150 crore and as per input subsidy crops amounting to Rs. 233 crore were damaged.

Caritas India team present in the field went to the most affected villages where no NGOs and Government people have reached. The assessment was done with the help of the community through a beneficiary selection committee, distribution committee and complaints /feedback dealing committee formed for the smooth facilitation.

The Assessment was done in 18 villages of Gobindpur, Maolaspadar, Sinkulipadara, Antarba , Paniganda and Pindiki panchayat of Mohana block in Gajapati district. It was observed that the affected villages have a mixed community of both ST and SC, but mostly ST dominated the area. The source of income like daily wage and farming was destroyed by the cyclone. The cyclone has damaged 90% crop (mostly paddy and maize). It was accessed that 70% people do not have their own land, so they are dependent upon share cropping, but this cyclone has brought a difficult time for these people.

During the assessment, it was found that about 60% of households having mud and tin houses were either partially or fully damaged. People had taken shelter in Schools, Anganwadis and in neighboring houses for more than one week. More than 50% houses which were visited were wet including clothes and blankets.

TITLI response was carried out with the help of a community participation approach, every activity was done as per the convenience of the community. Based on the assessment, Caritas India supported the affected community with WaSH and shelter kits. A total of 3500 households are being supported with WaSH and shelter and both in the districts of Gajapati and Ganjam. Titli response covered more than 90 villages with more than 18000 population in the remote tribal-dominated villages.

At the time of distribution, children were given special focus by engaging them in activities like games, drawing competition etc. Women volunteers were trained on WaSH and visited every village for WaSH follow up. Complaints and feedback box were kept in every village for more than 20 days, which were being addressed in discussion with the committee members. The proper exit strategy was followed in every village where Caritas team tried to address all the complaints raised during and after the distribution.

Caritas India has planned to support 1500 households with Livelihood (Cash for work) and WaSH in coming days under Rehabilitation phase.