Cyclone Amphan ripped through the east coast of West Bengal and Odisha on 20 May 2020 displacing 19 million population. Almost 90 people have lost their lives and 1.7 million houses were destroyed.

The Cyclone hit with a windspeed of 170 kph and uprooting trees, telephone, and electric poles and kept the area disconnected from other parts of the country. The situation is worse in Hooghly, Howrah, East Midnapur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas districts where houses and means of livelihood are flattened by the vicious wind and storm.

The State of West Bengal is facing the three-fold humanitarian crisis; COVID-19, reverse migration, and now cyclone Amphan. Thousands in the state have been displaced after their shacks and mud homes were blown away by the cyclone.

As the State Government and common people are crawling back to normalcy, Caritas India along with its partners swung into immediate action to address the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people in the remote islands of North 24 Parganas.

A rapid needs assessment highlighted the status of 71% fully damaged or partially damaged houses in North 24 Parganas. The assessment also pointed out the need for immediate housing support for 17% affected population in the district.

To meet the growing crisis in the community, immediate shelter support was provided to 1,230 households in 4 Gram Panchayats of the coastal district. The relief response was implemented through the pre-positioned stock garnered with the help of Siemens.

The 1,230 shelter kits comprising of Tarpaulin, Groundsheet, and sleeping mats were transported from Muzzafarpur storehouse in Bihar on 21 May and reached Baruipur on 23 May.

The areas of intervention in North 24 Parganas had been selected based on their remote location which hampers the communities’ access to basic services. The areas are located at an approximate distance of 90 km from Kolkata city and separated from the mainland by 3 distinct tributaries of the Ganges namely Hogol, Bidyadhari, and Gosaba river.

A team of dedicated staff of Caritas India and partner, Palli Unnayan Samiti were deployed in South 24 Parganas for the beneficiary selection and relief distribution in Gosaba Block- North 24 Parganas. The beneficiary selection was based on a) Households with complete shelter damage; b) Households with pre-existing socio-economic vulnerabilities with preference to single women and elderly; and c) Households belonging to the marginalized communities such as SC, ST, and Minorities.

Tapati Mohanti, whose shack made from bamboo, and plastic sheets was destroyed by Cyclone Amphan, stays close to the river, and bears the strong brunt of storm and rain. Her house was collapsed, and the family was displaced in the storm. Tapati is one of the beneficiaries supported with shelter kit in this time of crisis.

“I have not seen such a storm in my life. I was afraid in my house with my children because the ferocious storm and rain could blow away my house any minute. Somehow, we moved out and took refuge in the emergency shelter home. Once the storm subsides, we came back and saw our house is collapsed. There is nothing left in my house, said Tapati.

Caritas India and Palli Unnayan Samiti conducted beneficiary selection in close coordination with the Gram Panchayat in all 4 areas to avoid duplication of beneficiaries, followed with physical verification by local staff and volunteers to identify the most vulnerable and needy families.

After the selection, Caritas India initiated relief distribution on 27 & 28 May covering 33 island villages of 4 GPs which are only accessible through boats.

The distribution was done keeping in mind the COVID-19 crisis and specific safety guidelines were followed along with social distancing norms and maintain minimal physical contact.

Accessibility and connectivity continue to remain major concerns in the area, as the region battles power cut and shortage to potable drinking water. The effect of Corona and Cyclone Amphan has made an unparalleled impact on the Livelihood of the people. Apart from providing immediate relief, Caritas India is focussing her intervention in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH), Livelihood and Shelter to support the vulnerable sections affected by Amphan.