Fundraising for India Floods
Incessant rains for past few months across India has led to floods in the states of Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal amongst others causing immense loss to lives, properties and livelihood rendering thousands of people homeless and displaced. On 29th of September 2017, the city of Mumbai faced intense rain and flooding, which disrupted the lives of people and their livelihood and property .
Immediate support is needed for hundreds of families affected by the incessant rain fury that hit Mumbai, Assam, Gujrat, Rajasthan and W. Bengal. Americares is on ground helping them rebuild their lives by providing much needed health, hygiene and living support.
MUMBAI FLOOD SITUATION
Mumbai was again brought to its knees by heavy rains on 28th AUG ,20017 (Tuesday) Citizens of this proud city were horrified as they were confronted by water logged roads & memories of the 2005 floods that claimed over 450 lives came rushing back . These rains in comparison were much lesser - only 12 inches in a day (not like the 37 inches in 2005) but they had the same devastating effect - the airport was shut , roads were flooded , the suburban railways came to a halt and everyone suffered .
PEOPLE STAYED BACK AT OFFICE , MANY OF THEM TRUDGED BACK HOME IN WAIST DEEP WATER & ANXIOUS CITIZENS TRIED TO LOCATE THEIR NEAR AND DEAR .
The death toll from the rains keeps climbing with every day and now stands at well over 40. A well know doctor fell into a manhole and died a few kilometres away . A woman crossing the road to meet her husband on the other side was swept away . A lawyer who went to park his car suffocated and perished in it and a entire building in the Bhendi Bazaar area came tumbling down trapping its inhabitants & killing 34 people (as of 1 Sep 2017).
About 58% of Mumbai's , 20 mn people live in Slums . There are a estimated 200000 people out there who are homeless . All they do is survive on the streets. Many of them are seriously impacted by these floods and we are raising funds to help them with the very basics - Food , shelter and a change of clothes .
BIHAR FLOOD SITUATION
The toll in the flood rose to 72 in Bihar in 14 districts triggered by incessant rains in Nepal and some districts in the northern part of the state. According to the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, nearly two million people have been affected by the floods including thousands who have been forced to flee their homes.
Americares India proposes to respond in one of the worst affected district Kishanganj of Bihar.Kishanganj district is located in the north-eastern part of Bihar. It shares its borders with West-Bengal on one side and Nepal on the other. The Bangladesh border is also attached with the district, and it is often described as the corridor between the northeast and the rest of the country.
Pic: Images from Bihar Floods suggesting a pressing need for relief and rehabilitation.
ASSAM FLOOD SITUATION
The flood situation in Assam ,which crippled the state for last one month has improved but over 7 lakh people are continued to be affected by the deluge in 17 districts of the State as per Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA)A total of 1,102 villages in 17 districts are still submerged by the floodwaters About 19,000 people are still taking shelter in 108 relief camps set up in different districts.
Assam Chief Minister Mr Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to all relief agencies to work with government machineries and administration to prevent diseases from spreading and taking epidemic form in flood affected areas by holding medical camps and preventive measure to prevent high risk of communicable disease/ vector borne disease.
Pic: Displaced people at the Assam camp
Americares Proposed Intervention for Floods
Provide Access to Medical Care
Americares is deploying medical teams of doctors to cover the impacted district of .The teams will travel to the interior villages conducting health camps each day for next 10 days covering 100 patients in each camp to meet the immediate needs of the affected population.
Ensure Immediate Supply of Medicines
Consistent rains over the past few days have limited the supply of medicines and related products. Americares plans to reach out to local partners, hospitals and government channels with vital medicines and supplies
Facilitate Access to ‘Safe’ drinking Water
Access to ‘safe’ drinking water is a crucial need to protect the affected communities from disease outbreaks that are often observed during such emergencies. Thus, Americares plans to provide water purification tablets and storage cans, to the affected families, to ensure they have access to safe drinking water for next 90 days.
- Water Purification Tablets
- Water storage can
Support to vulnerable population group
Women and children are the most vulnerable to any disasters and during crisis their nutritional needs suffer due to lack of resources and neglect. Americares has put together specialized kits that provide for their nutritional needs
Mother care kits:Mother care kit contains nutritional supplements such as protein powder, calcium and iron folic sufficient for three months. The kits are provided to pregnant & lactating women.
Child care Kits: Child care kit provides for the nutritional needs of the child for three months along with anthelminthic for deworming. Child care kits also provides a blanket to keep the child warm.
Health & hygiene kits : Hygiene kit contains essential items such as nail cutter, towels, bathing and washing soaps, candle, torch, sanitary pads etc. packed in a container that can be used as a storage bin/bucket
Mosquito nets:Floods often increase the risk of vector borne diseases and mosquito nets help in preventing malaria & dengue.
Bedsheets & Floor Mats: Meeting immediate needs of family.
Tarpaulins: Meeting immediate needs of temporary shelter
Restoration of Health Services
Following the initial response, Americares will transition to a long-term recovery; provision of mental health and psychosocial services; and health-system recovery program focusing on our core areas of expertise: development of strong primary care programs and resilience efforts to ensure India builds back better from the effects of floods.
About Americares:
Americares India Foundation is a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies. With a vision to create a world in which all people have pathways to health and opportunity, Americares delivers innovative health programs and quality medical aid across the country, making it India’s leading non-profit provider of donated medicine and medical supplies. (www.americaresindia.org)
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We are raising this money to help people stranded in states of Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal and Mumbai, affected gravely by water logging. Your contribution to this campaign will enable health, hygiene and living support!
TAX BENEFITS AND FCRA COMPLIANT
Funding to this campaign is eligible for tax breaks under section 80G of the IT act. Foreign funding is also accepted. All Indian and Foreign nationals are eligible to fund this campaign.
FAQs
What are the crowdfunding charges?
Fueladream charges 2% for the payment for the payment gateway and a special 5% charge as crowdfunding charges (Usual charges are 7% but have been reduced to 5% as this is for flood relief). With GST the total comes to 8.15%. There is also an initial fee of 3000 INR which is being waived for us.
How does crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding in India is a relatively new concept & is growing very quickly.
It’s a concept that allows a large number of funders (like you) to fund an Idea or a cause or event by giving small amounts of money online. Fueladream is a crowdfunding site and platform in India that allows for such a pooling of funds.
