One and a half million people have been affected by severe flooding caused by heavy rains at the beginning of October in North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The state governments have reported that more than 200 people have lost their lives so far. Hundreds of thousands of people have deserted their villages to seek shelter in relief camps set up by the Indian Government and NGOs.
EveryChild staff have visited the flooded region and confirmed that all of our sponsored children are currently safe. However, many risks remain for the population affected by the floods. There is the threat of more rains; livestock and agriculture have been destroyed; homes and whole villages have been wiped out. There is imminent threat of disease such as cholera spreading throughout the relief camps. Children living in camps are at greater risk of being separated from their families and being trafficked away from their homes.
What is EveryChild doing to help?
Our partners have immediately started distributing food and clothes to affected families in the region. There are reports that children and families from the lower castes are continuing to face discrimination in this time of emergency. There are reports of food and medicine not being distributed to the dalit communities. Therefore EveryChild is taking a lead in assessing the relief and rehabilitation efforts to ensure that all children receive adequate medical, food and shelter assistance. Our partners are also setting up psycho-social support for families and children traumatised by the floods.