Appeal

India

Floods in Bihar, India - ASIN84 (Revision 2)

Appeal Target: US$ 3,837,300

Balance Requested: US$ 2,389,978

Geneva, 10 October 2008

ACT International members Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) and Lutheran World Federation's Department of World Service- India (LWSI) continue their six-month humanitarian assistance in this revised response to the worst floods emergency to hit the north-eastern state of Bihar, India on record, affecting over 2.4 million people in 13 districts since August 18th. Catastrophic breaching of the embankments of the Kosi River led to the flooding of numerous towns and villages that were considered "flood safe areas". The state government issued an emergency appeal to the Indian Central Government and all national and international agencies to help the affected population.

Over a month later, the emergency situation has not abated with hundreds of people still marooned, with a scarcity of food, water, proper shelter and medicines. The flood waters have devastated crops, decimated livestock, damaged or swept away houses and disrupted critical facilities. Rescue boats have their limitations in reaching flood hit villages. Heavy rainfall has been exacerbating the situation and now the winter is approaching with the cold weather posing a further challenge for displaced persons. Many older people are unwilling to leave their homes and consequently they are exposing themselves to the risk of drowning, falling sick and also the possibility of being robbed. Young girls and boys below 18 years are a highly vulnerable group open to exploitation.

Please find herewith a second revised version of ACT appeal ASIN84, including revised proposals from both CASA and LWSI with adaptations of their planned responses to the changing situation and in light of further need assessments. The LWSI funding request has remained basically the same, while the CASA request has increased by US $602,121, increasing the overall appeal target.

LWSI is responding in five Blocks of the three worst affected districts- Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura- assisting over 10,000 families still marooned in remote villages and in relief camps with food, water, basic non-food relief items, temporary shelter and cattle fodder. CASA is responding in different areas of these same three districts, as well as Araria District, to provide over 10,000 families with food, non-food relief items, school children's educational and play items, temporary and transit shelter, and latrines.

Project Completion Date:

CASA - 28 February 2009

LWSI - 28 February 2009

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FOR THE FULL TEXT AND BUDGET OF THE APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ______________________________________________________________________________

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSWCHZH80A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer, Michelle Yonetani (myo@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.