Flood relief continues in India

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 17 November 2000

RAMNAGAR, India -- Flood water rushed into Ramnagar Village in eastern India the night of Sept. 23. In darkness, amid fast-rising water, families scrambled to their rooftops. As the floods continued to rise, they moved up into trees. Most of the village's 150 residents finally grouped together on the roof of a school building where they remained stranded for 10 days. The residents of Ramnagar, a remote area lacking communication systems, were not warned when water from nearby dams was released after rain filled the dams to near bursting.

Now that the water is receding, people are beginning to rebuild. Many are still without food or work.

Sreema Mahila Samity, a local development organization, took relief supplies to Ramnagar and more than 90 other villages in Nadia district. The organization was overwhelmed with requests for aid. "Some women swam 10 kilometers [6 miles] to ask us for help for their families," said Bani Saraswati, who heads the organization. "We could not refuse them." Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) supplied Sreema Mahila with rice, lentils, milk powder, biscuits, bleaching powder, tarpaulins and medicines. Other organizations also contributed food and clothing.

In late September floods forced some 21 million people in West Bengal State to take refuge on roads, bridges and rooftops. These were the worst floods in 100 years for some areas of this low-lying state near the Bay of Bengal. Rural homes constructed of mud bricks collapsed. Rice and banana crops as well as livestock were also destroyed.

By late October, MCC workers helping with relief assistance reported some signs that life was returning to normal. More villages are accessible by road and some agricultural work was resuming, they said. Schools have opened, although attendance remains low as many children are helping with reconstruction. Most lost their school books in the flood. As the colder months approach, efforts now focus on rebuilding homes.

MCC workers reported being impressed with the many local volunteers assisting with relief efforts, who themselves were affected by the floods. "Without partner organizations and volunteers, MCC would not be able to distribute its relief supplies," said David Gerber, MCC India director.

MCC has contributed more than $152,000 Cdn./$100,000 U.S. for West Bengal flood relief to date.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org