Christian Aid has responded rapidly to the crisis in India, providing emergency food, medicine and other vital support to those made homeless and forced to flee in the floods in Bihar which are the worst for 50 years.
The £200,000 initial emergency funding is being distributed to Christian Aid's several partner organisations who are undertaking needs assessments, distributing emergency food, setting up community kitchens, providing medical aid and taking steps to prevent the outbreak of waterborne disease.
The flooding began last week when the Kosi River breached a dam on the Nepal-India border and huge waves of water washed through villages and fields, creating a major disaster in north eastern Bihar. The flooding is the worst to hit the state for 50 years.
More than 2.5 million people have been marooned by the floodwater and a thousand villages are estimated to be submerged in fifteen districts. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has declared the situation a "national calamity".
The government has ordered the immediate evacuation of two million people in the worst affected districts in the northern state, which is the poorest in India.
"Our partners are very experienced; they responded immediately after the floods last year and they are already working on the ground," said Anand Kumar, Christian Aid's representative in India.
Christian Aid partner, CASA, has offices in Bihar and through its network of field offices is feeding 5,000 people.
EHA, a health-based partner based in Madhepura town, is looking after thousands of people who are stranded on high ground, providing food, medical aid and taking measures to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases. It has also set up community kitchens.
JUDAV, an activists-based organisation, is providing food to a thousand people in two districts. They are also working with the local government to ensure the speedy implementation of rescue and relief programmes for the those affected.
