The document summarizes a report on visits to flood affected areas in Bihar, India. Over 1 million people were left homeless after flooding from the Kosi river. The summary describes the scale of damage, relief efforts including large camps set up by the government and other organizations, observations from the visits, and suggestions provided in the report.

1. Bali… PRATHAM October 10, 2008

2. … no…Bihar! PRATHAM October 10, 2008

3. Pratham Bihar- Flood Affected Areas Visit Report Farida Lambay & Mallika Singh October 10, 2008 PRATHAM PRATHAM

4. Contents Satellite view of flood affected areas Magnitude Aid- International & Domestic Government Action Observations Mega Camps Relief Camps General Observations Feedback District Teams District Officials Suggestions General For Pratham Challenges October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

5. The fury of Kosi has left more than a million homeless and scores killed. The Indian government has already rescued half a million people and another million still need to get out. The worst hit districts are Supaul, Araria, Purnia, Madhepura and Saharsa districts. PRATHAM October 10, 2008

6. The Army, Navy, CISF and various other agencies are intensively engaged in rescue and relief activities. Various national and international organizations have come forth to support the victims. For most of them it may be months or possibly even years before normalcy is restored. For some, it shall never be. PRATHAM October 10, 2008

7. Satellite view of flood affected areas October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

8. Satellite view of flood affected areas October 10 2008 PRATHAM

9. Satellite view of flood affected areas October 10 2008 PRATHAM

10. Satellite view of flood affected areas October 10 2008 PRATHAM

11. Magnitude As per the Government of India* (Oct. 7): ~48,42,000 people from 2528 villages in 18 districts affected so far 262 human deaths till date 3,87,189 houses reported to have been damaged due to flood so far 10,32,690 persons were evacuated from the affected areas In 407 relief camps about 4,51,562 people have been accommodated 3678 boats and 177 medial teams continue to be deployed 409 Health Centre have also been opened in the flood affected areas 1975 hand pumps installed in the affected areas Crops over an area of 3.40 lakh have been damaged so far 877 cattle livestock have perished so far Total damage estimated to be Rs. 216.4 crores: Rs. 34.2 cr (damaged crops) Rs. 84.5 cr (damaged houses) Rs. 97.7 cr (public property) * Source: Daily Update, Disaster Management Department, Government of Bihar October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

12. PRATHAM October 10, 2008

13. October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

14. Magnitude As per International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF, Oct. 3): 4.7 million people have been affected in 18 districts spread across 2,528 villages In five districts (Madhepura, Purnea, Saharsa, Supaul and Araria) people are still living on embankments, roadsides and in sporadic makeshift camps The government has taken up initiatives like measles vaccination drives for children in the state, with 177 medical teams assisting the affected communities October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

15. Aid- International & Domestic October 10 2008 PRATHAM Institution Type of Funds Amount Funding Mechanism Govt of Ireland emergency funding EUR 350,000 through NGOs Govt of Hong Kong emergency grants HK$ 4,913,000 a) HK$ 787,000 to Cedar Funds b) HK$ 2,126,000 to Oxfam HK c) HK$ 2,000,000 to World Vision HK Govt of New Zealand Disaster Relief Emergency Fund NZ$ 500,000 Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Govt of USA USAID USD2,600,000 coordinated with Indian govt activities Govt of Sri Lanka donation USD 50,000 Indian government Govt of Italy donation EUR 100,000 IFRC Vodafone Foundation donation GBP 100,000 Red Cross Govt of Australia AusAID AUS$ 1,000,000 AUS$ 500,000 to WFP AUS$ 500,000 to UNICEF Govt of France subsidy EUR 100,000 to French NGO ACTED to support 2,000 families for 4 months Caritas NZ donation NZ$ 10,000 Caritas India and Catholic Relief Services (Caritas USA) to provide food, temporary shelter, and essential non-food items to 270,000 people Welthungerhilfe donation EUR 100,000 Together with the Irish relief organisation Concern Worldwide, around 10,000 families being provided with food and other aid in Supaul Govt of Germany donation EUR 500,000 German aid organizations Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) donation GBP 50,000 with Caritas India United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) Donation GBP 150,000 with Govt of Bihar to supply up to 20 camps which currently house 10,000 displaced families with clean water, shelter and sanitation European Commission Donation EUR 1,000,000 UN agencies, European relief NGOs and the Red Cross/Crescent Govt of India INR 10,000,000,000 also 125,000 metric tonnes of food for the relief efforts

16. Government Action Relief Camps Mega Camps providing all facilities Food to adopted camps Boats requisitioned by the govt to ensure free movement for those returning home 54,230 cattle in 189 cattle camps in Supaul CM Relief fund Clothes, utensils, cash Matchboxes-2,13,162; Candles-3,81,503; Kerosene Oil-1,46,336 ltr Polythene Sheets distributed-1,67,770 Fodder-2,072.40 qtl Ready food distributed- 2,39,700 packets Grains Wheat & Rice-3,16,217.25 qtl; Chana-816.80 qtl; Chura-7,882.48 qtl; Sattu-915.10 qtl; Gur-1,015.92 qtl; Salt-104.45 qtl Rs 2,250 cash Cash distributed– Rs. 45.35 cr October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

17. Distribution of material- CM’s Relief Fund PRATHAM October 10, 2008

18. Observations – Mega Relief Camps Mega Camps 40 % of affected people covered Government run- usually managed by an education dept. official Population of 5,000- 10,000 (approximately 30% children) Food, lodging, health, sanitation, education facilities provided One / two families per tent requisitioned by the Army Adequate covered toilets provided Well managed, clean, large kitchens with sufficient quantities Food twice a day No epidemic outbreaks Different departments/ NGOs present to handle different aspects Health- hospital, doctors, regular medical care Education- ICDS & SSA Vocational training for women and youth (agarbatti/ candle making) Veterinary care Recreational activities- large screens, cultural events “meena” theatre Teachers and anganwadi workers appointed (approx. 10 of each per camp) October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

19. A day in the Mega Camp PRATHAM October 10, 2008

20. Milk for all children aged 2-5…so what if some are older… October 10, 2008

21. Food for all… Education for all… PRATHAM October 10, 2008

22. Camp Facilities PRATHAM October 10, 2008

23. But the situation is a lot more grim in the non govt. relief camps, especially the embankment and roadside camps PRATHAM October 10, 2008

24. Observations – Other Relief Camps Private / NGO run camps 40 % of affected people covered Population of close to 50,000 per camp Most have been adopted by the government Food provided by government regularly Tarpaulin/ plastic sheets provided by govt or NGOs etc.- no tents Poor sanitation facilities Health and education facilities meager Usually no separate facilities for classes Doctors visit sporadically Not reached- 20% Villages that are cut off due excessive water, poor connectivity October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

25. Approximately, 50,000 people per camp! … Here they are waiting for relief material distribution PRATHAM October 10, 2008

26. General Observations General sentiment is not despairing as food supply is sufficient and the people are comfortable in the mega camps but mixed feelings as future bleak Frustration levels higher in non- Mega camps Government officials at districts extremely proactive, cooperative Not adequate recreational/ educational materials Anganwadis don’t have sufficient toys hence worker unable to sustain the children’s attentions No blackboards Most children have received writing material but textbooks distributed by SSA, at district level, only in some camps Pratham/ Sankalp volunteers present in most camps to carry out educational activities and to help in general relief and information gathering Thousands of children in the 3-14 age group but very few above 14, especially boys No classes running for children in Std 8 and above except where middle and secondary school operational No planning for the final exams of the older children October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

27. Feedback from District Teams Teaching learning activities and extra curricular activities being conducted by the teams in most camps Feel the need to do more Not too many orphans/ single parent children observed in camps- more information needed Migration to Delhi, Punjab and inter state to Patna etc. People willing to go back if villages cleaned/ sanitised People living on roadside are not receiving any relief Plan International focusing on education for them Cut off villages not receiving sufficient relief AID India focusing on these October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

28. Feedback from District Officials Officials met: District Magistrate, District Madhepura DSE*, District Madhepura DSE*, District Supaul Block Education Officer, Block, District Supaul Senior State Official, Bihar (Pandey ji) Large scale movement of people to villages where water has receded, post Durga Puja (Oct 9) to make place for those that can’t as per govt. order Schools expected to restart after Diwali Suggestions accepted to prevent child trafficking for RBCs/ NRBCs for adolescent girls and boys Survey of orphaned/ missing children critical for Residential Bridge Courses to be provided (can be sanctioned within 24 hrs)- RBCs for 3-4 years possible Looking for assistance from Pratham- data collection & simple formats October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

29. PRATHAM October 10, 2008

30. Suggestions - General Distribute more recreational materials to keep all children busy Engage children from Std. 8 onwards in classes/ activities/ teaching younger children (e.g. running libraries) Tents to be provided for running of classes, where not available- preferably separate for classes Sanitation to be taken up as a high priority in canal side camps and smaller camps to prevent an epidemic outbreak More toilets Bleaching and purification of water Vocational skilling required Involvement of the community in cooking and care of the camp to increase involvement and independence October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

31. Suggestions - General To develop modules for all age group- 3-5, 6-14, 15-18, above 18 females (especially related to health and child care) Notice to be issued by Govt. / Labour Commissioner regarding prevention of child trafficking NGOs to partner in creating awareness e.g. Childline, Pratham Residential and Non residential bridge courses and SOS villages / community foster care for vulnerable children Orphaned or single parent Adolescent girls (to prevent potential trafficking) Adolescent boys (to prevent child labour incidences) Lots of work being done for younger children. Focus required on older children to prevent permanent disengagement with education Medium term- implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Rozgar Yojna, ‘Food for work’ schemes Solar lamps, woollens, blankets, satranjis (floor mats) to be provided in embankment and roadside camps October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

32. Suggestions – for Pratham To assist in data collection of children Missing, orphaned, single parent children School enrollment and background related data for all children To be carried out by Pratham/ Sankalp/ other NGO partners/ Govt To enable informed decision making by Govt. and NGO groups Pratham to provide training to ICDS/ Anganwadi workers to help in dealing with younger children To incorporate health and trauma counseling in the current education module To develop modules for all age group- 3-5, 6-14, 15-18, above 18 females (especially related to health and child care) To try and get older children to give their exams through National Open School October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

33. Suggestions – for Pratham To engage youth and women as volunteers to keep them active through libraries, story telling etc. Follow up with Labour Commissioner to issue notice to prevent child trafficking ( to provide draft) & letter to be sent to Chief Secretary of state Set up help desks at platforms to track and prevent trafficking Within Pratham teams, identify people that are affected- some assistance to be provided Pratham presence to be more visible through banners- allows for people to contact us, if required More fund raising/ materials- internationally/ corporates October 10, 2008 PRATHAM

34. Challenges October 10, 2008 PRATHAM Infrastructure Rebuilding infrastructure (roads, housing…) Housing may be easier as ~70% were not permanent structures and so not dependent on govt. Flood proof housing for prone areas

35. Challenges contd. Rapid reactivation of schools on a large scale Prevention of trafficking Disaster Management Cells The red building is their school. PRATHAM October 10, 2008

36. Challenges contd. Livelihood Large Scale dependence on agriculture Damage to arable land due to excess water and silt deposits Alternative vocational skills Employment creation This water ripples over once arable land PRATHAM October 10, 2008

37. They need our help. PRATHAM October 10, 2008