ActionAid is responding to the emergency in North East India following recent flooding which has affected up to an estimated two million people with 231,000 in relief camps. Most seriously hit is the state of Assam in the Eastern Himalayas, which has been flooded three times this year.
One of the worst affected areas is Sonitpur District where ActionAid has been supporting local government in rescue operations. The other area seriously affected is Sadiya in Tinsukia District.
Sandeep Chachra, ActionAid India’s Executive Director said: "This year’s unprecedented level of flooding has caught everyone unawares and the impact will be felt for a long time, especially by communities that are entirely dependent on agriculture and farming.
"Large scale devastation has meant that paddy fields have been destroyed and harvests ruined. Now with food shortages anticipated in the mid-term, recovery of communities is going to be the biggest challenge."
ActionAid has been working with local social and development organisations and international agencies such as Oxfam and Christian Aid to make sure that immediate shortages of food and shelter materials are minimized, focusing on providing critical aid in terms of shelter, sanitation, safe drinking water and food.
ActionAid is also working to ensure that the most vulnerable communities have immediate access to the aid being given and efforts being made by the Government of Assam.
