Pratham - Bihar Flood Visit Report

Bali…PRATHAMOctober 10, 2008

…no…Bihar!PRATHAMOctober 10, 2008

October 10, 2008 PRATHAMPRATHAM

PrathamPrathamBihar- Flood Affected Areas

Visit Report

Farida Lambay & Mallika Singh

Contents

Satellite view of flood affected areas

Magnitude

Aid- International & Domestic

Government Action

Observations Mega Camps Relief Camps General Observations

Feedback District Teams District Officials

Suggestions General For Pratham

ChallengesOctober 10, 2008 PRATHAM

The fury of Kosi has left more than a million homeless and scores killed.

The Indian government has already rescued half a million people and another million still need to get out.

The worst hit districts are Supaul, Araria, Purnia, Madhepura and Saharsa districts.

PRATHAMOctober 10, 2008

The Army, Navy, CISF and various other agencies are intensively engaged in rescue and relief activities.

Various national and international organizations have come forth to support the victims.

For most of them it may be months or possibly even years before normalcy is restored.

For some, it shall never be.



October 10, 2008 PRATHAM


October 10 2008 PRATHAM

Magnitude As per the Government of India* (Oct. 7):

~48,42,000 people from 2528 villages in 18 districts affected so far 262 human deaths till date 3,87,189 houses reported to have been damaged due to flood so far 10,32,690 persons were evacuated from the affected areas In 407 relief camps about 4,51,562 people have been accommodated 3678 boats and 177 medial teams continue to be deployed 409 Health Centre have also been opened in the flood affected areas 1975 hand pumps installed in the affected areas Crops over an area of 3.40 lakh have been damaged so far 877 cattle livestock have perished so far Total damage estimated to be Rs. 216.4 crores:

□ Rs. 34.2 cr (damaged crops)□ Rs. 84.5 cr (damaged houses)□ Rs. 97.7 cr (public property)

* Source: Daily Update, Disaster Management Department, Government of Bihar


Magnitude

As per International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF, Oct. 3):

4.7 million people have been affected in 18 districts spread across 2,528 villages

In five districts (Madhepura, Purnea, Saharsa, Supaul and Araria) people are still living on embankments, roadsides and in sporadic makeshift camps

The government has taken up initiatives like measles vaccination drives for children in the state, with 177 medical teams assisting the affected communities


Aid- International & Domestic

October 10 2008 PRATHAM

InstitutionType of Funds Amount Funding Mechanism

Govt of Irelandemergency funding

EUR 350,000 through NGOs

Govt of Hong Kongemergency grants

HK$ 4,913,000a) HK$ 787,000 to Cedar Fundsb) HK$ 2,126,000 to Oxfam HKc) HK$ 2,000,000 to World Vision HK

Govt of New ZealandDisaster Relief Emergency Fund

NZ$ 500,000 Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Govt of USA USAID USD2,600,000 coordinated with Indian govt activitiesGovt of Sri Lanka donation USD 50,000 Indian governmentGovt of Italy donation EUR 100,000 IFRCVodafone Foundation donation GBP 100,000 Red Cross

Govt of Australia AusAID AUS$ 1,000,000AUS$ 500,000 to WFPAUS$ 500,000 to UNICEF

Govt of France subsidy EUR 100,000 to French NGO ACTED to support 2,000 families for 4 months

Caritas NZ donation NZ$ 10,000Caritas India and Catholic Relief Services (Caritas USA) to provide food, temporary shelter, and essential non-food items to 270,000 people

Welthungerhilfe donation EUR 100,000Together with the Irish relief organisation Concern Worldwide, around 10,000 families being provided with food and other aid in Supaul

Govt of Germany donation EUR 500,000 German aid organizations Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

donation GBP 50,000 with Caritas India

United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID)

Donation GBP 150,000with Govt of Bihar to supply up to 20 camps which currently house 10,000 displaced families with clean water, shelter and sanitation

European Commission Donation EUR 1,000,000 UN agencies, European relief NGOs and the Red Cross/Crescent Govt of India INR 10,000,000,000 also 125,000 metric tonnes of food for the relief efforts

Government Action Relief Camps

Mega Camps providing all facilities Food to adopted camps Boats requisitioned by the govt to ensure

free movement for those returning home 54,230 cattle in 189 cattle camps in Supaul

CM Relief fund Clothes, utensils, cash

□ Matchboxes-2,13,162; Candles-3,81,503; Kerosene Oil-1,46,336 ltr

□ Polythene Sheets distributed-1,67,770□ Fodder-2,072.40 qtl □ Ready food distributed- 2,39,700 packets

Grains□ Wheat & Rice-3,16,217.25 qtl; Chana-816.80

qtl; Chura-7,882.48 qtl; Sattu-915.10 qtl; Gur-1,015.92 qtl; Salt-104.45 qtl

Rs 2,250 cash□ Cash distributed– Rs. 45.35 cr


Distribution of material- CM’s Relief Fund


Observations – Mega Relief Camps Mega Camps

40 % of affected people covered Government run- usually managed by an education dept. official Population of 5,000- 10,000 (approximately 30% children) Food, lodging, health, sanitation, education facilities provided

□ One / two families per tent requisitioned by the Army □ Adequate covered toilets provided□ Well managed, clean, large kitchens with sufficient quantities□ Food twice a day

No epidemic outbreaks Different departments/ NGOs present to handle different aspects

□ Health- hospital, doctors, regular medical care□ Education- ICDS & SSA□ Vocational training for women and youth (agarbatti/ candle making)□ Veterinary care □ Recreational activities- large screens, cultural events “meena” theatre□ Teachers and anganwadi workers appointed (approx. 10 of each per camp)


A day in the Mega Camp


Milk for all children aged 2-5…so what if some are older…October 10, 2008

Food for all…

Education for all…


Camp Facilities


But the situation is a lot more grim in the non govt. relief camps, especially the embankment and roadside camps


Observations – Other Relief Camps

Private / NGO run camps 40 % of affected people covered Population of close to 50,000 per camp Most have been adopted by the government Food provided by government regularly Tarpaulin/ plastic sheets provided by govt or NGOs etc.- no tents Poor sanitation facilities Health and education facilities meager

□ Usually no separate facilities for classes□ Doctors visit sporadically

Not reached- 20% Villages that are cut off due excessive water, poor connectivity


Approximately, 50,000 people per camp!…Here they are waiting for relief material distribution


General Observations

General sentiment is not despairing as food supply is sufficient and the people are comfortable in the mega camps but mixed feelings as future bleak

Frustration levels higher in non- Mega camps

Government officials at districts extremely proactive, cooperative

Not adequate recreational/ educational materials Anganwadis don’t have sufficient toys hence worker unable to sustain the children’s attentions No blackboards Most children have received writing material but textbooks distributed by SSA, at district level,

only in some camps

Pratham/ Sankalp volunteers present in most camps to carry out educational activities and to help in general relief and information gathering

Thousands of children in the 3-14 age group but very few above 14, especially boys

No classes running for children in Std 8 and above except where middle and secondary school operational

No planning for the final exams of the older children


Feedback from District Teams

Teaching learning activities and extra curricular activities being conducted by the teams in most camps

Feel the need to do more

Not too many orphans/ single parent children observed in camps- more information needed

Migration to Delhi, Punjab and inter state to Patna etc.

People willing to go back if villages cleaned/ sanitised

People living on roadside are not receiving any relief Plan International focusing on education for them

Cut off villages not receiving sufficient relief AID India focusing on these


Feedback from District Officials

Officials met: District Magistrate, District Madhepura DSE*, District Madhepura DSE*, District Supaul Block Education Officer, Block, District Supaul Senior State Official, Bihar (Pandey ji)

Large scale movement of people to villages where water has receded, post Durga Puja (Oct 9) to make place for those that can’t as per govt. order

Schools expected to restart after Diwali

Suggestions accepted to prevent child trafficking for RBCs/ NRBCs for adolescent girls and boys

Survey of orphaned/ missing children critical for Residential Bridge Courses to be provided (can be sanctioned within 24 hrs)- RBCs for 3-4 years possible

Looking for assistance from Pratham- data collection & simple formats


Suggestions - General

Distribute more recreational materials to keep all children busy

Engage children from Std. 8 onwards in classes/ activities/ teaching younger children (e.g. running libraries)

Tents to be provided for running of classes, where not available- preferably separate for classes

Sanitation to be taken up as a high priority in canal side camps and smaller camps to prevent an epidemic outbreak

More toilets Bleaching and purification of water

Vocational skilling required

Involvement of the community in cooking and care of the camp to increase involvement and independence


Suggestions - General

To develop modules for all age group- 3-5, 6-14, 15-18, above 18 females (especially related to health and child care)

Notice to be issued by Govt. / Labour Commissioner regarding prevention of child trafficking

NGOs to partner in creating awareness e.g. Childline, Pratham

Residential and Non residential bridge courses and SOS villages / community foster care for vulnerable children

Orphaned or single parent Adolescent girls (to prevent potential trafficking) Adolescent boys (to prevent child labour incidences)

Lots of work being done for younger children. Focus required on older children to prevent permanent disengagement with education

Medium term- implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Rozgar Yojna, ‘Food for work’ schemes

Solar lamps, woollens, blankets, satranjis (floor mats) to be provided in embankment and roadside camps


Suggestions – for Pratham

To assist in data collection of children Missing, orphaned, single parent children School enrollment and background related data for all children To be carried out by Pratham/ Sankalp/ other NGO partners/ Govt To enable informed decision making by Govt. and NGO groups

Pratham to provide training to ICDS/ Anganwadi workers to help in dealing with younger children

To incorporate health and trauma counseling in the current education module

To develop modules for all age group- 3-5, 6-14, 15-18, above 18 females (especially related to health and child care)

To try and get older children to give their exams through National Open School


Suggestions – for Pratham

To engage youth and women as volunteers to keep them active through libraries, story telling etc.

Follow up with Labour Commissioner to issue notice to prevent child trafficking ( to provide draft) & letter to be sent to Chief Secretary of state

Set up help desks at platforms to track and prevent trafficking

Within Pratham teams, identify people that are affected- some assistance to be provided

Pratham presence to be more visible through banners- allows for people to contact us, if required

More fund raising/ materials- internationally/ corporates


Challenges


Infrastructure Rebuilding infrastructure (roads,

housing…) Housing may be easier as ~70%

were not permanent structures and so not dependent on govt.

Flood proof housing for prone areas

Challenges contd.

Rapid reactivation of schools on a large scale

Prevention of trafficking

Disaster Management Cells

The red building is

their school.


Challenges contd.

Livelihood Large Scale

dependence on agriculture

Damage to arable land due to excess water and silt deposits

Alternative vocational skills

Employment creation

This water ripples over once arable land


They need our help.


Pratham - Bihar Flood Visit Report

Education

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