The rain keeps coming down across Asia. In a year when devastating floods have shaken up countless numbers of lives from Pakistan to Nepal, now millions more of India’s poorest people are facing the future in the knowledge that their crops, their homes and their livelihoods have been washed away.

I’ve seen it on a small scale here at Ekta Parishad, where we’ve been working to help villagers from the Koraput district of Odisha who have been affected by flooding. Jagannath Mishra, who is leading the efforts, says: “Our role has been to coordinate the delivery of support to people who have had to leave their homes. The government is providing some tarpaulin for temporary shelter and also some healthcare provision, but we have to work to make sure it reaches the people who need it. The government is slow to react.”

'More than 800,000 people have seen their homes submerged by severe floods after the Ghaghra river burst its banks. Of those, more than 30,000 are now living in government-run relief camps while others have taken shelter in local schools and community centres.' 

He pointed out that as well as the disruption and displacement the flooding causes, many people now have long-term concerns about how to feed themselves: “Not only have the floods destroyed the standing crops, they have destroyed food stores as well. We need to help people to start replanting the land so that they can start feeding themselves again as soon as possible.”

North of here, in Uttar Pradesh, the situation is even worse. More than 800,000 people have seen their homes submerged by severe floods after the Ghaghra river burst its banks. Of those, more than 30,000 are now living in government-run relief camps while others have taken shelter in local schools and community centres. 

Along with Odisha, Uttar Pradesh was recently identified by the United Nations Development Programme and Oxford University as one of the eight poorest Indian states. In total 421 million people live in poverty in these states, more than in the 26 poorest African countries combined.

Christian Aid estimates that up to 10 million people have been affected by the floods in Uttar Pradesh. Sajjad Mohammad Sajid, Christian Aid’s Regional Emergency Manager for South Asia, said: “We are very concerned for those affected by the floods, many of whom are from the Dalit communities, India’s oppressed class, who have nothing to depend upon during an emergency situation other than relief assistance from the government and humanitarian agencies.”

He warned that the dangers were not being treated seriously enough: “The disaster in Uttah Pradesh has not gained the attention needed to scale up the necessary emergency response from the government and international community.”

A lifeline is being provided by food provisions delivered by CASA and PGVS, Christian Aid’s partner organisations. Christian Aid are urgently appealing for donations to support and widen this vital work. For more information, please visit www.christianaid.org.uk/india-floods

Words: Kevin E.G. Perry
Photo: Flickr user Nav A.