India Partners to Help Victims of Flooding and Disease
EUGENE, OR - Thursday, August 31, 2006 -- India Partners is preparing an emergency response of food, clean water, blankets, medicine and shelter to children and families that were affected by heavy flooding and ensuing disease in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa, India. Over 400 are confirmed dead, but the final figure will likely run into the thousands. Millions of homes have collapsed, crops have been ruined and livestock have been decimated. Chikungunya, a viral fever spread by mosquitoes, as well as malaria, has broken out in the aftermath.
India Partners, a US based NGO that has been working in India since 1984, has contacted its partner organizations in India to begin the emergency assistance needs. Reports have been coming in from local agencies in India that the continuing monsoon rains that began in June have killed hundreds, probably thousands, of people. Although this news has not been widely reported in many U.S. media outlets, a Reuters article on August 9 reported that 4.5 million people have been driven from their homes.
"Millions of people have lost everything. They have no food, shelter, or clean water to drink. They are prime targets for disease and need relief supplies immediately. The poorest of the poor—Dalits, tribals, and rural villagers—are usually the last to receive help," says India Partners Executive Director, Brent Hample.
"The flood victims are still helpless and left out in some areas. Through our relief camps, some of the poorest areas received rice, dhal and oil to prepare food. There are many areas left without any help, those people are still crying and suffering. Five farmers committed suicide because of the loss of crops by floods. Still in villages, children are caught up by diseases and dying without medical care," wrote G. Parishudha Babu, Director, Orphans Faith Home in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh.
Krishna District has been one of the hardest hit in India, as floods have swelled all over the country. Chikungunya fever has also been reported in Andhra Pradesh and in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Over 4,000 people in the district of Malkangiri, Orissa were affected by the flooding, where cerebral malaria has also broken out.
The agency is in the process of gathering funds so local agencies can provide food, clean water, and medicines to help treat the victims, as well as blankets and shelter for the displaced and homeless. India Partners is well positioned to provide humanitarian help; the agency currently has partner organization offices in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa.
Long-term development programs in the country include child development, health, schools, and economic development activities that improve community access to food and clean water.
India Partners is a faith-based development and relief organization committed to supporting self-help projects in India. All are served regardless of caste, religion, gender, or creed. India Partners helps through development projects, training local leaders, disaster relief, and education. India Partners also coordinates short-term volunteer teams, speakers, and sponsorship programs.
For more information please contact Brent Hample at 541-683-0696.
