UDAI
(University for Development Action and Integrated Learning-II)
PLAN OF ACTION FOR INTERVENTION
IN NORTH BIHAR
An Initiative by
University of Delhi
Coordinated By:
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF DELHI
Email: dsw.relief@gmail.com
Blog: www.dswdu.blogspot.com
Helpline: 011-32021499
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I. ABOUT THE SITUATION IN BIHAR
The floods in Bihar continue unabated with the Kosi River wreaking havoc
in the northern districts of Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Saharsa. The state
government’s relief operation continues to be tentative and lack of will as
well as personnel is evident to the dismay of many who do not even have
access to the channels of complaints and expressions of anguish. In a
situation where more than eight districts have been badly affected, 30 relief
camps set up by the state is not able to meet the severity of the crisis. A
report from Madhepura, in particular, informs us that the blocks such as
Kumarkhand, Muraliganj, Shankerpur, Udakishunganj, Alamnagar, Chausa,
Puraini and Gwalpara have been completely cut off from the District Head
Quarter. Even conservative estimates put the total affected population as
nearly 20-25 lakhs. Death is impossibly difficult to estimate as it depends on
the bodies recovered from the violent pangs of River Kosi. Train services
between Purnia and Madhepura have been suspended indefinitely due to
water-logging on tracks at several places and railway lines washed away in a
stretch of about 45 ft near Dinapatti. With the flood situation turning grim in
Bihar, the state government today sought the Army’s help to launch relief
and rescue operations in the severely affected districts. While one Army unit
which arrived today has been rushed to Madhepura district, two more units
will arrive soon and take up rescue work. Over one million people in 14
districts across the state have been displaced by flash floods after the Kosi
River breached its embankments in neighbouring Nepal and their number is
swelling with each passing day.
Given the fact the Kosi has a track record of flowing in excess of 9 lakh
cusecs; the Bihar government is indeed worried that a monumental effort
will have to be put in to rescue the people. We will have to rescue more
than 10 lakh people in relief camps. And we will have to keep them for more
than 6 months as it will take time to plug the breach. More significantly, the
flow of the Kosi will have to shift to its original course and all this will take
time, the chief minister said.
This is going to probably be the worlds largest evacuation programme with
an alarming number like 50 lakhs and more people to be evacuated. And
needless to mention, each of us as individuals in our own capacities have a
social responsibility to respond to this calamity.
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II. PLAN OF ACTION
Following the desk review of the situation in Northern Bihar as also through
the information available from the state and district administration, the
Department of Social Work, University of Delhi has developed its plan of
action. Based on our experiences of working with victims of earth quake in
Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttrakhand, we have taken the initiative
for long-term relief and rehabilitation project- UDAI (University for
Development Action and Integrated Learning-II) for the flood affected
people in Bihar with two fold objectives:
a) To contribute in relief and rehabilitation of flood affected victims
on long term basis.
b) To bring back experiences of learning into the knowledge system
of the university.
We have already started our intervention from August 28, 2008 and a team
of seven students and one non teaching staff led by Dr. Manoj Kumar Jha,
Reader, Department of Social Work has set up base camp at Saharsa. This
team left with relief material worth Rupees twelve lacs collected from
various quarters.
Our Vice Chancellor Prof. Deepak Pental has contributed Rupees twenty
lacs to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund and has also supported the
Volunteer based UDAI project of Delhi University. The University has
given us all support to make requisite intervention in affected areas. All
Colleges/ Departments of Delhi University are joining us in this task.
In view of the severity and the magnitude of the problem, the department
realizes that post-rescue interventions can be made at four levels and that too
in collaboration with civil society organizations based in Delhi as well as in
Bihar:
1. Reaching out to affected families and individuals in the worst affected
districts such as Madhepura/Purnea/Araria/Saharsa
2. Helping them with necessary and scarce items such as – packed food,
medicines, chlorine tablets, torches, mosquito-nets/repellant, plastic
sheets (tarpaulin ones) etc.
3. To liaison and work with government and non-government agencies.
4. To focus especially on children, elderly, Dalits, Muslims and extreme
backward class communities as their vulnerability is relatively high
compared to other groups and communities in the same region.
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III. WHAT WE INTEND TO DO
We intend to work at three levels- immediate relief, long term post rescue
relief and long term rehabilitation. For the same our strategy is as under:
1. Identification of an area (we might focus on a cluster of villages
alone) and there too identify the vulnerable locations and populations
2. Development of base and network with government and nongovernment
agencies (for facilitating relief and rehabilitation
packages and measures)
3. The impromptu relief camps need better trained staff in the initial
phase and professional social workers can have a better impact on
coordination
4. Taking a team of twenty students with at least three faculty members
which shall liaison and network with the district administration
ensuring coordination and cooperation from different government
departments as well as NGOs.
5. We also realise that sanitation will be a major problem for these areas
as most of the people are residing on the impromptu found cluttered
spaces. We intend to liaison and work with organisation based in
Delhi as well as the ones working locally.
6. Ready to eat food is more suitable for these areas as availability of
fuel will be a problem.
7. We are also informed that ORS packets are not adequate for the
affected areas. There is a need for bleaching powder, lime and
chlorine tablets immediately for the affected districts.
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IV. YOUR SUPPORT IS REQUIRED FOR THE
FOLLOWING:
1. Immediate Need
i. Baby milk powder/feeds
ii. Medicines
iii. Bed sheets
iv. Thin Towels (Gamchha)
v. Biscuits
2. Other important requirements
i. Torches
ii. Dry milk powder packets
iii. ORS sachets
iv. Match boxes
v. Candles
vi. Chlorine tablets
vii. Bundle rope (Nylon)
viii. Tarpaulin sheets
ix. Slippers
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V. OUR PARTNERS
The following organizations are collaborating with us in this effort:
Help Age India is collaborating, in intervening at two levels (a)
providing relief materials (b) providing humane services directly.
DSSW Society is a parent body supporting us with the management of
the Project.
Colleges/Departments of Delhi University have assisted us in Fund
raising.
PAIRVI Associate, a Delhi based registered NGO having income tax
exemption under Section 80G.
Civil society organizations in Delhi, Bihar and other parts of country;
And
YOU
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VI. YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE IN FOLLOWING MANNER:
1. You can help us in cash or kind and can approach us:
Department of Social Work
(Delhi School of Social Work)
3, University Road, (Near Metro Station)
University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Email: dsw.relief@gmail.com
2. Cheque in favour of
Delhi School of Social Work Society payable at Delhi
3. Those interested in availing Income Tax Exemption under Section
80G are requested to send their cheque/cash in favour of
PAIRVI ASSOCIATES payable at Delhi. We will send you the
acknowledgement receipt.
4. Those sending their contribution from outside India should send as
per following details:
In favour of : PAIRVI ASSOCIATES
Bank Account No. : 0031000077682
Bank Address : HDFC Bank Ltd.,
Surya Kiran Buiding,
K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001
SWIFT Code : HDFC IN BB
5. Call us on 24 hours Helpline No.: 011-32021499
6. You can also contact Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Head, Department of Social
Work, University of Delhi at <sanjaibhatt@yahoo.com>
(Last updated on Sept. 3, 2008)
WE NEED YOU SUPPORT