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Oxfam is responding in flood-hit districts of Assam.
Assam has been hit by devastating floods triggered by incessant rains. Over 37 lakh people have been affected (Source: PTI), and at least 29 people have lost their lives till now. Entire villages are inundated and farmlands submerged.
As many as 22 of Assam’s districts have been impacted by the floods. Among these, Dhemaji, Barpeta, Jorhat, Golaghat, Lakhimpur and Dhubri are the worst affected. Flood water has entered most houses, leaving communities with no choice but to abandon their homes and shift to relief camps or set up makeshift shelters wherever they can - on embankments or on the sides of the road. The situation remains grim and is likely to worsen. The number of flood-affected is also expected to grow.
Oxfam team is now on ground in Jorhat district to assist vulnerable communities. The priority is to make available Hygiene kits, Shelter and other Non-Food items like tarpaulins, blankets, ground sheets, a specially designed Oxfam bucket that prevents contamination of water, mugs, mosquito nets, Water purification tablets and among other relief items. Installing hand pumps for potable water and toilets is also essential to prevent the outbreak of diseases.