Indian Red Cross lends helping hand to Assam flood victims

New Delhi, July 22 (IANS): Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, savage floods have wreaked havoc in Assam, disrupting the lives of nearly 33 lakh people in 28 districts. Due to the floods, lakhs of people have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Since the onset of the floods, 1,200 volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), an auxiliary to the government and armed forces’ medical services, have been working tirelessly to provide support to the affected communities in the remote areas.

“Initially, the state branch conducted a needs assessment and established 12 zonal centres to pre-position 13,500 tarpaulins so that we are able to launch a timely emergency response,” said Diganta Bujarbaruah, General Secretary of IRCS Assam.

Till date, 9,283 tarpaulins have been distributed among the needy families, helping close to 46,000 people gain immediate shelter.

As many as 2,000 families are being supported in temporary shelters and relief camps set up by the IRCS in the highlands at several locations. All the beneficiaries are being provided with dry ration, utensils, mosquito nets, soaps, masks and clean drinking water.

IRCS Assam has installed 25 family tents in different Covid-19 quarantine centres as well as along the highways, railway lines and embankments where displaced people have taken shelter.

One such camp has been set up at IRCS’ raised platform in Chorabori in Kamrup district, where 50 flood affected families are being sheltered along with their cattle.

The society has served more than 40,000 people reeling under the impact of the devastating floods with relief aid such as dry ration kits, mosquito nets, utensils and other essential commodities.

Hygiene items such as soaps, masks and gloves have also been distributed. Besides, volunteers are also encouraging everyone to practice social distancing norms.

The IRCS has also installed hand pumps for the affected families to ensure that people have access to clean drinking water.