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ShareAs the situation in flood-affected Bihar worsens, city NGOs do their bit to help out
The flooding in Bihar is a disaster that has shaken the city out of its urban complacency.
Millions of people have been displaced, homes have been destroyed, and the death toll is mounting as people succumb to disease and starvation. And while the Central and state governments have initiated rescue operations, NGOs say that there are still plenty of ways in which Mumbaikars can help out.
"In flood situations, items such as bleaching powder, hygiene kits, life jackets, medical supplies, mats, bedding and tarpaulin are needed," says Raji Nair, the health and nutrition specialist at Unicef. Tarpaulin, that provides temporary shelter to people who have lost their homes, is in high demand.
"We are collecting foodstuffs like rice, dal, oil, pulses, and also large vessels. On site, we have constructed temporary home kitchens for the victims," says Shibani Sachdeva, executive director of United Way, Mumbai.
Most of the NGOs that have offices in Bihar or New Delhi have already initiated relief work, but the magnitude of the calamity is overwhelming. "We keep in touch with our social workers at the site; they tell us what is needed, and accordingly, we source the required materials," says Homai Modi, the honorary secretary, Maharashtra State branch, Indian Red Cross Society.
According to most of the NGOs involved in the Bihar relief work, cash is the best donation. This way, they say, they are able to allocate funds for different materials.
"People often want to donate foodstuff, but it becomes unmanageable for us," says Modi. The transportation of food, clothing, etc, often adds to the problem.
"Sometimes, unnecessary things are donated. Then we have to sort all the donated items, which takes time," says Sachdeva.
Gopi Menon, the state representative of Unicef, Maharashtra, says, "If we get money, we generally donate it to the prime minister's or the chief minister's relief fund. We have our own stock of supplies, which we distribute to the flood-affected people."
Those interested, can access the official websites of NGOs that are involved in the relief work in Bihar. "People can visit our website and contact us on the numbers given there," says Modi.
Not all NGOs in the city are actively involved in the Bihar flood relief effort. Out of the seven NGOs that were contacted by this reporter, only four had initiated rescue and relief programmes.
a_vishakha@dnaindia.net
