Oxfam responds to Indian flood catastrophe

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
29 August 2008

Oxfam and its local partners are responding to the devastating Indian floods, which have uprooted millions of people from their homes in Eastern Bihar.

Oxfam has been closely monitoring the situation since the Kosi River broke it banks and has conducted a rapid assessment in the Supaul district of Bihar, the worst-affected area, where estimates indicate that 700,000 people have been displaced.  Oxfam is now providing public health items such as water purification tablets, buckets to store safe water and oral rehydration sachets, as well as temporary shelter. Rescue boats have been used to rescue people stranded and marooned.  

Monsoon rains caused the Kosi River to breach its banks on August 18, resulting in serious floods in six eastern districts of Bihar. The scale of the breach has changed the course of the river, with waters flowing into villages that were not previously flood prone. Some reports indicate that over 2.5 million people have been displaced so far. Critically affected districts are Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnea and Katihar.

Jane Cocking, Oxfam's humanitarian director said:

"It is critical that we get emergency assistance to these people in the coming days. These catastrophic floods have destroyed entire villages and left people with nothing. Huge numbers are still marooned with no food or drinking water. As well as helping people move to safety via rescue boats, we are mounting a water and sanitation response to counter the risk of disease."  

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Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.

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