Assam Relief Programme

Transcription

1 Be the change Of the surviving families of the 1994 violent attack we helped the most needy of those providing shelter to their family teaching their children to read, write and much more how to earn for their family to work for the progress of this country and we still are with them... Then came nature s fury in the shape of flood & the violent pogrom by some. Assam again was burning & bleeding badly The victims had nowhere to run We humbly volunteered to this day... Assam Relief Programme N-44, Ground Floor, Hilal Homes 2nd Stage, Abul Fazal Enclave Jamia Nagar, New Delhi Telefax: E: contactus@rehabindiafoundation.org W: B:

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3 Our crying infants, screaming children, semi nude girls hiding themselves at the back of their men, disappointed faces, huge crowd outside toilet, this was the inside picture of Chirang refugee camp when we visited in July. For few minutes, I lost my control and wondered how people can be inhuman at this level. Why people forget that we may have different religion, language or even belong to different nation but we all belong to one human race which is supposed to be superior from other creature on earth. Foundation for Rehab Model Village, Nov, 2009 In 2012 and from last few years, lakhs people met with their fate due to the over flown of Brahmaputra and pre-planned attack by some extremists in the name of cleaning of Bangladeshi infiltrators. Economical With the aim to provide relief to these innocent people, we launched a package of multifaceted activities including Assam riot relief programme, Flood relief programme, Model village, Food kits distribution and advocacy programme. Rehab s Assam Relief Programme started on emergency basis, and distributed baby food packets, polythene bags, mosquito nets, candles, buckets, mugs, clothes, utensils and other necessary items in the refugee camps of Chirang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon. Infrastructure development Educational & Culture Community Centre Health & Environment Village Development Programme In India Village Development has taken global attention because major chunk of the population live in rural area. The strategy of Rehab for rural development mainly focuses on poverty alleviation, better livelihood opportunities, provision of basic amenities and education for all through innovative programmes in these segments. Rehab Village Development Programme aims at improving rural life in an equitable and sustainable manner, both socially and environmentally, through better access to resources (natural, physical, human, technological and social capital), and services that enable them to improve their livelihood. About 1000 kg flattened rice, sugar and other necessary food materials were distributed in flood affected villages of Assam. Legal awareness programmes were organised frequently for flood affected and riot hit victims so that they can legally claim for their loss. Rehab Model Village initiated with a vision to ensure that every one of these victims should have a home, access to education, pure drinking water, medical support and employment opportunity. With the grace of God, we have built 60 houses and among them 45 have been distributed. Achieving UN MDG Goal 2, we are running pre-primary school and also facilitating free tuition classes to students and drop outs. On need basis, Rehab released scholarships for the students who like to study and organised weekly and bi-monthly medical camps for reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality. Our doctors counseled women for reproductive child health, neo natal care and general and personal hygiene. Moving forward from charity to empowerment, team formed three Self Help Groups; one man SHG and two women SHGs. From next month, we will release loan for their proposed proposals such as rearing of goat, buffalo, papad making, marketing food items and clothes etc. Apart from this, 7773 food packets were distributed among the families who have been temporarily rehabilitated at Government Refugee Camps. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders for their overwhelming support for achieving the goal of Assam Relief Project, aiming to empower innocents made victims of ethnic cleaning and natural calamity irrespective of caste, creed and religion. With all the best wishes Adv. Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, Rehab India Foundation Talera, Rajasthan Mullah Colony, New Delhi Mustafabad, Uttar Pradesh Mandavalli, New Delhi The author is the Working President of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and of Rehab India Foundation, whose academic qualification is M.A and LLM. He was Principal of A. K. Chandra Law College, Silchar Assam, was honoured as a designated Senior Advocate by Guwahati High Court, elected member of North-Eastern Bar Council, member - Aligarh Muslim University Court, and Vice Chairman of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association, North Eastern Region. South Zone Nandavaram, Andhra Pradesh Nizamudheen Colony, Andhra Pradesh Holagunda, Andhra Pradesh Vallinokkam, Tamil Nadu Sofi Nagar, Karnataka East Zone Rehab India Foundation N-44, Hilal Homes Ground Floor, Second Stage Jamia Nagar, New Delhi Tele Fax: Rehab India Foundation 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Rehab India Foundation. Contributions to Rehab India Foundation are exempted from Income Tax, under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, subject to the prescribed limits. (NO. DIT(E) /R-958 dated ) On-going Village development programmes (VDP): Central Zone At the handing over (Phase I), May, 2011 Hajjipara, West Bengal Kabilpur, West Bengal Srikrishna Pur, West Bengal Dhumpara, West Bengal Balagacchi, West Bengal Solva, West Bengal Mohaldarpara, West Bengal Kohitpur, West Bengal Borjumla, West Bengal Akundabaria, West Bengal North Zone Bansibari Village, Bihar Bhodutala Chanpi Village, Bihar Gourhar Village, Uttar Pradesh Village Development Programme Milestones Introduction

4 Education Health Care Equipments for running tuition centres Mother & Child Construction & Rehabilitation Medical Equipment Immunisation & Check-ups Care Programmes Health Awareness Training teachers Farming Programmes Management training Tuition Centres Making spaces suitable for study School Food Clean Water Water Supply Systems Disaster Management Water Wells Refugee Problem Human Rights Shelter Basic Food Water Purification Floods/Tsunami Clothing Sanitation Programmes Community Mobilisation Food Crisis Medicine Iftar and Qurbani distribution Training Programmes Microfinance Self-Help Groups Sharing Cultivation Ideas Live independently Community Organisations Distribution of Livestock Promoting Agriculture Strengthening Communities The Pipeline of life Supporting livelihood Support Community life

5 Rehab India Foundation is a non-profit charity and mission established for community and area specific socio-economic and educational development of the deprived communities of India. People from different parts of the country with years of professional experience, vision & commitment are behind this ground-breaking endeavour. Founded and registered on 17th March 2008, Rehab India Foundation has been working for the empowerment of the downtrodden and other neglected groups. It has been running multiple programs successfully in Assam, Delhi, West Bengal, U.P., Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. At Rehab, we envision an India where all children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We believe that Rehab has the team and patience to make this vision a reality. Board of trustees Rehab India Foundation As a result of communal riots and natural calamities thousands of families have been compelled to flee their habitats in the state of Assam. The most unfortunate among them are the victims of the murderous riots engineered by extremists in Thousands of families had lost their homes, agricultural land, cattle etc. There has been no effective measure to rehabilitate these desolate people either by the government or by voluntary organizations. After detailed study and analysis of the real issues and problems of thousands of people, Rehab India Foundation launched the Model Village Project in Assam. Under this project, we aim to provide cost effective houses, education, medical aid, income generation and employment oriented programmes for the people staying inside the Model Village. Rehabilitation A total of sixty houses and a prayer hall-cum-education centre are completed now. Out of this 45 houses have been distributed to 45 most deserving families in the camps. Education Preprimary Academy; was inaugurated on 26th February, 2013 within the village with two teachers. Study materials were provided free of cost to the children. A total of 12 children from model village & 28 children from nearby Nauchanguri village are getting tuition classes from 9.00am to 12.30pm Moral Education; Moral education programme started to maintain peace and harmony, Children learn poems and moral lessons. Nearly thirty students from within and neighboring villages attending the classes daily from 6.00 pm to 8.30 am. Healthcare Medical Camp; weekly and bi-monthly camps organized, provided free consultation and medicines to the patients. Mobile Medical Unit Mobile medical van caters to the needs of 3 districts namely Chirag, Kokarajar& Golpara where people affected due to Ethnic clashes in March 2012 are staying in temporary shelters. It provides 24 x 7 free medical check-up along with medicine and lab test. Economic Development Self Help Group; identified beneficiaries, formed three self help groups namely Moromi (women group), Beauty (women group) and Rehab men s group with ten members in each group, and loans are now being dispensed to these groups. Government Pension Scheme; met with M. Gosh-Officer in-charge of government pension schemes and efforts are being made to facilitate it in the village. Disaster Management District Disaster Management Department organized training progamme for CBOs on prevention of floods, earth quake and fire on March 22, 2013 at Deputy Commissioner Office. Pankaj Kumar Choudhary, Bongaigaon District Project Officer of Disaster Management Department Assam was delighted to acknowledge the work of Rehab. He said to Gaju Rahman, Assistant Project Manager that Rehab inputs will be acknowledged in the government planning process in Disaster Management in New Bongaigaon District, Assam. Nearly thirty non government organizations participated. Sports; With the support of Nehru Yuva Kenda, Rehab organized indoor games for the community. Atur Rahman, Project Director Nehru Yuva Kendra donated gaming articles to the facility. E. Abubacker Chairman Prof. Muhammed Sulaiman, Kanpur, UP Vice Chairman O.M.A. Salam, Kerala Gen.Secretary Hafiz Abdu Rasheed Choudary, Advocate, Guwahati Secretary Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette, New Delhi K. M Ashraf, Advocate, Kerala A. Sayeed, Kerala M. K. Faizy, Kerala Bhavani. P Mohan, Advocate, Tamil Nadu Dr. Haseena Hashiya, Professor, Jamia Millia, Delhi K.S.M. Ibrahim, Chennai Mehrunnisa Khan, Jaipur, Rajasthan Afsel Chandrankandy, Bangalore Abdul Wahid Sait, Bangalore Rehab Model Village Rehab India Foundation

6 Assam Flood Relief Survey of Riot Hit Camps Assam the gateway to the seven northeastern states of India, faced the nature s fury once again. Every year the floods leave a trail of destruction, washing away Villages, submerging paddy fields, drowning livestock, besides causing loss of human life and property worth several crores of Rupees. To start the relief work, Rehab surveyed the refugee camps on September 8th, 9th &10th with the help of more than 250 volunteers and collected information on health, hygiene, sanitation, food, clothes, property loss, legal assistance, death, injuries etc. in Chirang, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Bongaigaon and Barpeta districts. District Chirang 8 people were killed and seven severely injured during the violence. It was found that the camps were over crowded with not an inch of space to spare. Sanitation leaves much to be desired. 100 to 200 people have only one toilet. There was severe shortage of baby food and clothing. There were serious health problems and looming threat of epidemics like cholera and waterborne diseases. 90% of the permanent houses of these people were looted or burnt. Nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced by floods in the northeastern state of Assam. Eleven people have died in separate incidents of drowning in a week during floods. Eighteen of 27 districts have been inundated by flood waters. District Kokrajhar The total number of victims were of which 23,037 men, 20,313 women and children. Food was scarce and fuel rare. Survival of these people was at stake. Nine people have lost their lives and 18 were grievously injured. The loss of property was estimated to be in crores houses were looted and destroyed. There were 295 pregnant women of different stages who needed immediate medical attention. The July 2012 floods in Assam killed more than 100 people and forced over five million people to leave their homes. The state government had said these floods were the worst in the state since According to rescue officials, Over 2000 villages had been inundated by water overflowing from Brahmaputra River. Changing lives District Dhubri There were 31,040 victims belonging to 8,900 affected families. Among them 12,302 are men, women and 8,111 children (all from Kokrajhar Dist) 15 people lost their lives and 21 got severely injured. Many people had skin problems. The camps located in schools were under the threat of evacuation as the schools were going to be reopened. Relief materials and medical aid were insufficient. There were 202 pregnant women of different stages. Volunteers of Rehab India Foundation were deployed immediately and distributed flood relief material to the worst affected victims of Lakhipur, Dubapara, Goalpara towns, and the river bank areas around Brahmaputra of Goalpara District in lower Assam from 1st to 17th July Bongaigaon and Barpeta Districts The extent of damage to their property is almost total. Houses, household items, livestock and agricultural products have been destroyed. 160 Adivasis were also living in these camps along with Muslims. Kitchens and lavatories were in the open field. Foodstuffs were not sufficient. Lack of medical facilities and scarcity of fire wood added to the woes of refugees. Rehab India Foundation The future of India lies in its villages. Mahatma Gandhi More than 100 members of the Rehab team helped thousands of people by distributing flattened rice, sugar and other necessary food stuff in flood affected Villages of Assam. Place Item Distributed Nagarbera Area Rice & Sugar Barpeta Area Rice Goroimary Area Rice & Sugar Nagaon District Rice Goalpara District Rice Total No. of Beneficiaries 1500 families 84 families 525 families 100 families 250 families 2459 families Amount 59,000 12,000 12, ,725 1,20,925

7 Rehab India Foundation distributed 7773 Qurbani Food Kits among poor and needy people of 65 villages temporarily sheltered at refugee camps of Assam during the festival of Eid-al-Adha. For this noble activity, donors across the country joined hands and offered their share of Qurbani to Rehab Qurbani Food Distribution Programme E. Abubacker, Chairman of Rehab India Foundation said, Rehab Family is highly thankful to all our Donors and Supporters who were actively involved in making this program successful as it was done in the last year. To add to it, he also extended his gratitude towards the volunteers who worked hard during the festival to help the fellow citizens. Mobile Medical Unit Rehab India Foundation initiated Mobile Medical Unit for marginalised and neglected people of Assam. Qurbani Food Kits Distribution Programme Chief of the Day, Dilip Bora, Gana Adhikar Daily Editor and Professor of Guwahati University inaugurated Rehab s Mobile Medical Unit in Assam for providing emergency medical support to riot hit victims residing in Relief Camps. Initial cost of the project was rupees lakhs. Abu Bashar, Vice President of Rehab India Foundation told that the aim of this well equipped Mobile Medical Unit with qualified Doctor and Nurse is to reach to the unreached people whom medical facility is not available. On Jan 9th 2013, Heman Nath, M.B.B.S doctor of Hekra P.H.C inaugurated the service at Bidiyanagar of Kamrup District Assam and provided medical relief to 225 fateful community people of natural calamity and victims of BTAD violence. January 2013 onwards, Rehab has been providing consultation, blood sampling and distribution of free medicines to the refugees of three districts mainly Chirang, Kokrajhar and Goalpara patients were attended in January, 1330 in February and 677 patients got medical support in March. The frenzy of a brutal sky Has ended. Green waves ripple Through the restive fields. Legal Aid Rehab India Foundation regularly extends financial support to conduct legal awareness programme to enable victims of ethnic clashes and natural calamity. Since July, 2012, Rehab has been providing counseling support to the victims to make them aware of their legal rights as an individual and as a citizen of India. They are assisted to raise their voice within the frame work of our legal and constitutional system. It was shocking to realise the level of mental submission and predominant pessimism of the victims of ethnic cleansing. Regretfully most of them hardly nurture any dream for future. Recognizing the need to impart legal aid to victims, Rehab team travelled to the refugee camps and collected information of death, injuries and loss of properties. Victims were counseled and advised for proper documentation of permanent houses so that they can be rehabilitated under proper security. People were guided to keep record of demolished religious buildings so that it could be rebuilt or compensated by the government through legal means. Advocates who are associated with the Rehab met with government officials and demanded the punishment of culprits under law. White flowers of the sugarcane Pierce the inky sky As autumn whispers Every poem has its season. With every shaft of light Amazement. With passion Words awaken. Poem by (late) famous Assamese poet Hiren Bhattacharjya Poem Title: October Landscape Translation from Assamese of this poem was made by Uddipana Goswami

8 PHASE-I: Immediate Relief In the First Phase, Rehab India Foundation provided immediate relief material to the victims of ethnic violence in Assam. Volunteers of Rehab distributed baby food packets, Dress materials, utensils, buckets and mugs in the camps. NOTE: Details of Rs. 15 lakhs allotted and spent in the Phase-I is not mentioned in the report, since they are under auditing. Items Distributed Units Baby Food for Infants Packets for 6000 Infants Gents Garments (Lungi & T-Shirts) 35,483 Ladies Garments (sari, blouse, petticoat and churidar/maxi) 33,411 Kids Garments (half pants, T-shirts and frocks) 22,399 Buckets with Lid for storage of Drinking Water 24,434 Food Plates 24,434 PHASE IV Despite the harsh and forbidding weather, a team of volunteers reached the refugee camps of Chirang and Bogaigaon and distributed relief material among 8,330 victims. The Foundation distributed utensils, baby food and clothes for ladies in 8 refugee camps of Districts Chirang and Bongaigaon. Items Later, in the same phase the Foundation distributed T-Shirts for men, lehengas/ nighties for ladies and children s clothes worth Rs. 2,176,401 in 4 Districts; Chirang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Barpeta. In Chirang, relief materials were distributed in 10 relief camps of Muzabari, in Dhubri - 16 relief camps in Bilasipara and 16 relief camps located in Raniganj. In Kokrajhar District, refugees in 7 relief camps of Sri Rampur Gram Panchayat, one relief camp of Tamarhath, seven relief camps of Gouwripur benefitted. In Barpeta, assistance was given in one camp of Barpeta and 14 Camps of Sharnarthi Chhatri Binamulia Aabasik Pathdan and Shibir. Units PHASE-I Amount Spent Beneficiaries Survey Baby Food Packs 3000 units Polythene Bags 3000 pcs. Mosquito Nets 2000 units Candles 3000 units Buckets & Mugs 2000 pairs Fire Wood 200 quintals Old Clothes 5000 units Distribution & Purchase Expenditure Total Cost Rs Rs Rs Rs Rs Rs Collected Collected 129 camps in Assam 3000 Infants 3000 Families 2000 Families 3000 Families 2000 Families 1000 Families 5000 People Items Distributed Units Amount Spent Beneficiaries New Sarees 1450 units Kids Wear 3500 units Itar 1000 units Surma 1000 units Purchase & Distribution Total Rs Rs Collected Collected Rs Rs women 3500 kids 1000 families 1000 families Items Distributed Units Amount per unit Total Amount Baby Food Blouse Plates Total Rs Rs PHASE-II PHASE-III PHASE-III PHASE-II Rehab India Foundation initiated Phase-II on 1st August 2012 and completed on 18 August, As part of relief operation, Rehab volunteers distributed baby food, polythene bags, mosquito nets, candles, buckets, mugs, fuel, and clothing. Also, the organization distributed relief material during the rescue operation of the people trapped in the flood hit areas like Kamrup, Nagaon, Barpeta, Nalbari and Goalpara. PHASE-III Districts Panchayats Baby Food Blouses Plates Distribution Distribution Distribution Expenditure for Expenditure Expenditure Total Amount Beneficiaries Baby Food for Blouses for Plates Kokrajhar Tamarhat Kusaigaon Sri Rampur Dubri Bilaspara Gowripur Bilaspara-II Chirang Chirang Bongaigaon Bongaigaon Total x20 = x x30 = = PHASE-IV Rehab India Foundation started PhaseIII on 19 Aug and continued till 28th September During this phase, the Foundation distributed baby clothes, clothes for women, attar and surma on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr spending Rs. 564,900 one single day. This phase benefitted more than 3 lakh people living in 129 relief camps in Kokrajhar, Chirang Barpeta and Bongaigaon. Later, in the same phase, Rehab India Foundation distributed relief material worth Rs Team Rehab Distributed Baby Food Items, Blouse and plates in 95 relief camps located in Assam. SL NO DESCRIPTION PHASES I & II III IV MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED SURVEY EXPENDITURE TRANSPORTATION CHARGES FOOD EXPENSES TRAVELLING EXPENDITURE PURCHASE EXPENSES LEGAL AID TOTAL TOTAL ,806,673 Relief & rehabilitation in riot hit areas