Humanitarian Response to Floods in Odisha – ActionAid India
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Humanitarian Response to Floods in Odisha

Published on: Thursday, 20th October 2022

Author: Priyanka Khullar (with inputs from BN Durga)

Photo: ActionAid Association

In August 2022, heavy rains and subsequent floods inundated villages and slums across several districts in Odisha and affected lakhs of people. With farmlands and crops ruined and houses and other community infrastructure damaged, the marginalised communities needed humanitarian support. In the aftermath of the emergency, ActionAid Association and community-based Human Rights Defenders were on the ground. We conducted a needs-assessment of the affected areas and mapped those worst hit. Subsequently, we started distributing relief among those most disadvantaged.

As part of our flood response in the state so far, we have reached out to more than 500 families from the Dalit community in the Gop block of Puri district with dry rations. In addition, shelter support in the form of tarpaulin sheets helped them cover their leaking roofs, enabling them to stay safe in their houses. With support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we also provided hygiene kits comprising a mosquito net, water-purifying tablets, sanitary napkins, soaps, buckets, mugs, LED torch, clothes for women and some other needed items.

Our teams would reach out with relief materials to 700 families living in poverty and exclusion in Balasore, another district badly impacted by the floods.

As part of our humanitarian response, we remain committed to promoting the leadership and dignity of affected communities and ensuring accountability and transparency to all stakeholders, including the communities we serve.