Residents, Aid Workers Rush From Monsoon Floodwaters

September 4, 2008—Rising monsoon floodwaters continue to force people to move in mass exodus far from their homes along the Indian and Nepalese borders, where the devastation from the rains is getting worse. The floods have affected an estimated 2.6 million families in India, and at least 100,000 people in eastern Nepal.

In Supaul district in the northeastern Bihar state of India, affected communities haven't been hit by a monsoon in nearly a decade; they weren't prepared. On August 18, the eastern embankment of the Kosi River on the Indo-Nepal border suffered a major breach, affecting people living at the border in both countries.

"Essentially, a river exists now in areas where it didn't before," reported Jennifer Poidatz, Catholic Relief Services' country representative in India.

In the hardest-hit Supaul district of India, floodwaters are so high that CRS had to relocate the base of our relief operations over the weekend.

"The water was rushing into the area and people feared the canals might break. We wanted to avoid being trapped, so we moved from the area [to Muzafarpur] alongside many of its residents," said Francois Poidatz, regional technical advisor for CRS.

Emergency field staff have now returned to Supaul while others have established a new base in Muzafarpur. Staff in both locations are working together to get essential emergency supplies for distribution.

CRS Response

Main roads have been damaged. Many places can be accessed only by boat. The damage will be enduring, displacing people for several months at a minimum. CRS has relief teams on the ground in both countries collaborating with local partners to provide immediate, lifesaving rescue and support. We are also coordinating with national and state authorities as well as other U.N. organizations.

CRS immediately provided three boats for rescue in the hard-hit Indian districts of Supaul and Araria. The agency also has plans under way to distribute essential relief supplies and food to at least 25,000 people, in addition to high-energy, fortified biscuits for pregnant women and children. In Nepal, CRS is working with our Caritas partner to provide food to 25,000 displaced people in five temporary camps. Caritas plans to support an additional 4,000 families with supplies such as mattresses, mosquito nets, torch lights and batteries.

CRS Priorities for Response:

Evacuation:The affected area is massive and expanding. As the water is high and fast- moving, people need to be evacuated to relief camps—often at great distances from their homes. This is a priority for the Indian government, but they need more boats and rescue teams.

Shelter: In addition to an estimated 60 relief camps established to date by the government of India, people are grouping to form spontaneous, informal settlements throughout the areas bordering the flood zone. Many of the government-established camps lack sufficient accommodation for new arrivals, as permanent buildings are full. Essential materials—plastic sheeting, sleeping mats—are urgently needed until camp infrastructure can be expanded or improved.

Food: Even in normal times, almost half of the children in Bihar are malnourished. The floods will only exacerbate their already fragile condition. CRS plans to provide an initial supply of fortified, high-energy biscuits (purchased locally) which will serve as an important supplement to the food ration provided by the government.

Health and Hygiene: CRS has identified a lack of emergency health services, and our partners have trained teams to provide health care in the affected areas and camps via mobile clinics. The area has a severe shortage of hygiene supplies, water treatment and safe water storage. Water and sanitation kits, along with education on using them correctly, will be crucial to avoiding any large-scale outbreak of waterborne diseases.