For more than a month, 20 districts of Bihar, India experienced flooding that resulted in the loss of 125 lives as well as the loss of household assets, crops and livestock.
Water has receded over the last few days but many villages are still cut off. Although this part of northeast India faces flooding almost every year, such massive devastation has not happened for more than a decade.
Currently the government is providing food in affected areas, but it is unclear how long that support will continue.
In addition to food, CRS teams report the following immediate needs in affected communities:
- Drinking water & hygiene
- Shelter
- Health
- Feed for livestock
CRS will help 5,500 families in some of the worst affected villages with water/hygiene kits and temporary shelter.
The kits will include buckets, filtration cloth and water purification tablets to ensure safe drinking water.
The hygiene package will include sanitary napkins, baby diapers and soap, among other items.
The areas CRS has targeted for assistance are still flooded with limited access. CRS and our partners will respond as areas become accessible and distributions are able to take place.
