Karimganj (Assam), Sep 24, 2024: Not-for-profit organization Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) in collaboration with local administration and community organization has delivered life-saving relief to 4,351 families affected by the devastating Assam Floods of 2024.
Initiated on July 8, SEEDS focused on three severely impacted Gram Panchayats in Karimganj district: Suprakandi, Nilambazar, and Charkuri, prioritizing marginalized communities, women-led households, and elderly individuals whose livelihoods were based on small-scale agriculture and labor.
The floods, which began on June 18, caused widespread devastation, leaving many areas waterlogged and isolated. Families were forced to relocate to higher ground, using makeshift floating vessels crafted from bamboo and banana trees for transportation. There was a complete power outage for the first two weeks, and it took a month for some areas to have their electricity restored. Water supply was halted for more than twenty days, and damaged sanitation infrastructure led to the contamination of local water sources. Women and children faced significant sanitation challenges, using floating vessels for defecation and avoiding food at night to manage the lack of facilities. Schools were closed for a month, further impacting children’s education and adding to the stress experienced by families.
In an effort to provide relief, SEEDS distributed essential food kits to 1,282 households, hygiene kits to 2,178 households (supporting over 10,890 individuals), and shelter kits to 891 families. Food supplies included rice, wheat flour, dal, oil, and spices, while hygiene kits addressed sanitation needs. SEEDS also repaired and chlorinated 11 handpumps to restore safe drinking water. To address the needs of children and women, SEEDS established 11 Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) for 392 children (225 boys and 167 girls), providing psychosocial support, and offered targeted assistance to 687 women and adolescent girls.
As per SEEDS’ baseline findings, safety and privacy concerns for women were major issues in the relief camps. There were no proper arrangements made for women and adolescent girls, leading many to avoid staying overnight at the camps. Instead, they returned to their flooded homes and endured living in ankle-deep water. To cope, families constructed raised platforms, or machan, where women and girls spent their nights in complete darkness without electricity.
In response to these challenges, SEEDS, with support from local Anganwadi Workers (AWW), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), and Village Development Committees (VDC), organized women’s meetings and awareness programs on safe menstrual hygiene practices during disasters. These sessions also covered topics such as gender-based violence in relief camps and how women and girls could protect themselves during crises. Additionally, SEEDS conducted health education sessions, providing information on preventing diarrhea through proper ORS preparation, maintaining a safe water chain, and the importance of handwashing at key times.
These sessions were repeated across the wards to ensure wider participation and they provided significant improvements in safety and hygiene for the 687 women and adolescent girls involved. At the same time, SEEDS ensured that Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) remained operational until schools reopened. Activities at the CFS included educational support, fun games, yoga, and health education. Parents expressed their gratitude, as the CFS helped reduce the psychological distress their children had been experiencing. Children, in turn, reported learning new health and hygiene practices, which they were eager to implement in their daily lives.
Rinku Roy, a 32-year-old daily laborer, shared his experience: “The ration kit support from SEEDS has been a lifeline for my family. With the floods causing so much hardship, having access to food and essential supplies has eased our burden significantly. The community meetings on safety and hygiene have also been incredibly helpful. We now feel more secure and better informed on how to manage during these challenging times.”
Despite the initial relief efforts by local authorities, high water levels hindered aid delivery. SEEDS overcame this challenge by utilizing boats and local vessels to access the most affected areas, setting up distribution points within villages to ensure all listed families received support. SEEDS emphasizes the importance of developing flood-resilient infrastructure, such as flood-proof houses and raised toilets, and recommends implementing cash-for-work programs to aid in community recovery. Training WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) committees within communities is also crucial for long-term health and hygiene improvements.
SEEDS worked closely with district administrations, Panchayat leaders, and local NGOs to coordinate efforts and ensure an effective, transparent response. As SEEDS continues its mission to build flood-resilient communities, they remain committed to addressing underlying social issues, including women’s education and protection, to create long-term disaster preparedness and resilience.
Dr Manu Gupta, co-founder of SEEDS, highlighted the broader significance of the Assam flood response: “The 2024 floods have devastated livelihoods and isolated entire communities, but through the collaboration of local partners and the resilience of the people, we’ve been able to provide immediate, life-saving assistance. While we are focused on recovery here in Assam, these events also reflect a larger global challenge. Flooding, exacerbated by climate change, is affecting vulnerable populations worldwide. SEEDS is committed to working not only on immediate relief but also on long-term strategies to build flood-resilient communities globally.”
