The Italian government has contributed an amount of CHF 100,000 (about USD 93,000) towards emergency assistance to the people affected by the flood in Bihar. The funds will be used to procure and transport tents, tarpaulins, kitchen sets and blankets.

This contribution was made to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which supports the work of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS). The IRCS relief has included distribution of family packs, kitchen sets, mosquito nets and basic food supplies. The IRCS and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are also involved in tracing activities to reunite families with their missing relatives due to the floods.

"The recent effects of climate change and natural environmental threats are increasingly affecting communities all over the world," says Roberto Toscano, the Honourable Italian ambassador to India. His Excellency adds, "The Italian government understands that only through concerted efforts and international cooperation can such threats be mitigated and addressed. Therefore, Italy stands ready to play its role in extending support and providing technical expertise in tackling emergency situations such as the one that we are witnessing in Bihar now."

The Red Cross Red Crescent is continuing to bring shelter, food and relief to many thousands of people affected by flooding in India's Bihar and Assam states. While communities in the worst-hit Madhepura, Supaul, Saharsa and Araria areas of Bihar continue to reel under the impact of floods, there has been a substantial improvement in the situation as the flood waters recede.

Peter Ophoff, the head of the International Federation's India Office, said that immediate needs among the affected communities included shelter, clothing and kitchen sets, and additional volunteers to speed up the relief effort. Health care also needs to be stepped up, as diarrhoea; dysentery and pneumonia-like conditions have been reported from several camps in Saharsa and Supaul districts. "The contribution made by Italy represents a considerable amount of our DREF coverage." says Ophoff, "and we are extremely grateful for the spontaneous action of the Italian Government through its Embassy in New Delhi."

IRCS has deployed five water and sanitation units capable of producing 5,000 litres of clean water an hour for drinking and hygiene purposes. Another four units are either in transit or on standby. Trained IRCS volunteers have also been distributing basic medicines and leading health education discussions in temporary camps to help reduce the risk of diseases among those displaced by the floods. The work of the IRCS in Bihar and other flood-affected states of India is expected to continue for several months given the continuing damage to lives and property in several parts of India.

For more information, please contact the International Federation:

Devendra Tak, Regional Communications Manager, Mobile 0091-9810393178. Email devendra.tak@ifrc.org