Trail of Destruction Emerging from Flood-hit Assam, Over 1 Lakh Children Impacted, Bal Raksha Bharat to Respond

23/05/22

Latest News

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Press Release

~ Demands immediate life-saving aid and support to meet the needs of children ~

Guwahati, Assam (India) 23 May: Report of immense damage are beginning to emerge from Assam as the state is reeling under floods followed by incessant rainfall and landslides across many districts. The floods have affected over 719,425 persons, including 141,050 children from 2095 villages across the 27 impacted districts of Assam. The state government till now has set up 421 Relief camps and centers to reach out to the affected population, data Source: Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). There are reports of 8 lives lost by far in Cachar, Udalguri, Dima Hasao, Lakhimpur and Darrang and 5 persons missing from Cachar and Nagaon.

As the important task of assessing the damage begins, rapidly determining needs, Bal Raksha Bharat has mounted immediate relief operations to provide families with basic shelter, food, clean drinking water and other essential necessities across Nagaon, Darrang, Biswanath – three of the most affected districts. Eight embankment breaches have been reported in Barpeta, Biswanath, Goalpara, Nagaon, Nalbari and three damaged embankments reported in Tamulpur in the last 24 hours.

Bal Raksha Bharat India CEO, Sudarshan Suchi said: “The extent of damage due to floods in Assam are incredibly distressing and must be extremely frightening for the families. As we continue to provide an immediate upport to the community, we are particularly worried about how the floods re affecting children as they are amongst the most vulnerable. Besides an immediate relief support, ensuring children’s their wellbeing is an important part of our humanitarian response, and as we ensure the families have basic support, we have set up Child Friendly spaces to keep children safe and provide psycho-social support during such emergencies We are committed to ensure children are safe, can enjoy recreation and get informal education support until the schools reopen.”.

Meanwhile relief measures will continue to focus on providing shelter, food, health & hygiene, and nutrition support to families. The affected people have an immediate need of access to clean water, hygiene maintenance products like soaps, detergents, mosquito nets, sanitary cloth/napkins etc, shelter materials like Tarpaulins, Mats, Bedsheets, rope etc. along with educational and play materials for children who have lost it or has got damaged due to flood water in school buildings. Bal Raksha Bharat, is mounting their first response on 23rd May, at Darang district, one of the most impacted locales in the state.

About Bal Raksha Bharat

Bal Raksha Bharat runs programmes to address children’s needs in 11 Indian states and Union Territories. Globally known as Save the Children, the organisation works in 116 countries, on issues related to education, health, protection and humanitarian/DRR needs of children, especially for those who are the most deprived and marginalized. Bal Raksha Bharat’s association with India is more than 80 years old. Visit www.savethechildren.in for more information.

For further information and media queries, please contact:

Geeta Lama
+91 7708655058
geeta.lama@savethechildren.in

Geeta Lama

Lead Strategic Communication & Government Relations

“I Lead Strategic Communication & Government Relations at Bal Raksha Bharat. Based in New Delhi, I oversee Media Relations, Communication and foster relationships with government entities to promote the welfare of children. I have a strong background in public affairs and have successfully collaborated with multiple stakeholders, including NGOs and corporate partners."