International agency Oxfam has started delivering emergency relief to people affected by the worst floods in Maharashtra, India for three decades.
Oxfam is providing emergency food parcels, essential medicines, plastic sheeting and other shelter material for the most vulnerable people around Mumbai's coastal and rural areas.
The situation in coastal districts has worsened with landslides in many places and water logging of large areas. Roads and bridges have been washed away; some small towns in the area have no clean drinking water and are suffering from electricity shortages.
"Oxfam's relief effort is underway with our local partner organisations are reaching the most vulnerable communities such as poor people in rural area. Oxfam is providing communities with basic such as grain, clean drinking water and shelter material. The situation is still desperate as more rain is predicted and the flood waters show little sign of receding", said aid worker Aditi Kapoor.
Aid workers are concerned about the potential outbreak of disease because of silt, dirt and debris contaminating the water supply.
"There is real concern about the public health situation on the ground with an inadequate supply of clean drinking water in the area and water being contaminated by dead animal carcasses. Our water and sanitation and public health team is currently assessing the needs in the affected areas", said Kapoor.
ENDS
For information or interviews please call :
UK: Shaista Aziz in the Oxfam Media Unit
on + 44 (0) 1865 472 359 or +44 (0) 7810 814 980
India: Aditi Kapoor +91 9810 306 200
Australia: Marlene McIntyre +61 39289 9415 or +61 407 515 559