India: Floods DREF Bulletin no. MDRIN002 Update no. 02

The Federation’s mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in 185 countries.

In Brief

Period covered by this update: 9 August to 9 September 2007.

History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation:

- CHF 250,000 (USD 207,641 or EUR 151,515) allocated from the Federation’s DREF on 9 August 2007 to respond to the needs of this operation, and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population.

- This operation is expected to be implemented for three months, and will be completed by 9 November 2007; a DREF Bulletin Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 8 February 2008). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Programme summary: To date, 2,577 people have lost their lives and an estimated 47 million people1 have been affected by the ongoing floods. New flooding was reported in Orissa in the second week of August, with 13 districts affected by riverine or flash floods. Flash floods in four districts have given rise to grave health risks including cholera, chikungunya and diarrhea.

The cholera outbreak in Orissa has been quite serious, with up to 83 people having lost their lives to the disease. The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) dispatched a joint assessment team including Federation technical staff to assess the flood situation and health emergency in Orissa. The cholera outbreak was a result of tribes’ traditional practices concerning food and water, leading to contamination. IRCS has been actively distributing relief items since the start of the floods, providing for the daily needs of disaster hit families.

Full Story