The flood situation in River Kosi's new course areas is slightly getting better as the water is slowly receding. As per the government statistics there are 3.3 million people affected by Kosi's curse, the Government, NGOs, and other agencies have opened around 320 relief camps in which about 3.8 lakh people are taking shelter. 25-30% affected people have been taking shelter in their relatives' places while 60-70% males have migrated to other cities and states.

The River Kosi's fury has separated several families. Thousands of people have gone missing. There are some media reports cases of trafficking and children being sold from the relief camps. Thousands of people have been displaced. In many flood affected areas schools have become temporary shelter for victims. School education has been severely disrupted.

EFICOR is providing relief in two Relief Camps at Manohar high school, Baijanathpur, Saharsa and Navtol Middle school, Parwa, Madhepura respectively since 28th August'08.

The camps cater to the food needs of 3000 people consisting of cooked food twice a day and flattened rice and sugar as breakfast. Psycho-Social care by engaging the community in games and cultural programmes have been provided in each camp.

The other immediate requirements i.e., clothes, sleeping mats, water cans, lanterns, tin sheets, boxes., etc is also being arranged for distribution for the families staying in the camps.

Health camps are organised twice a week with the help of the Government at Saharsa camp and with Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) at Madhepura camp.

Mr. Sanjeev Bhanja and Mr. Ramesh Babu met the District Collector of Saharsa to update EFICOR's work and seek guidance for further intervention.

Mr. Atish Chandra, IAS, District Collector, Madhepura visited the Navtol Middle School Camp on 19th Sept'08 and appreciated the good work.

Mr Sanjeev Bhanja Director-Programmes and Ramesh Babu Manager-Programmes from EFICOR visited some of the villages which are marooned in Muraliganj block of Madhepura district to assess the current flood situation. With the help of Indian Army, they went in motorised boats, as far as 20 km where the water was about 25 feet deep and spread to around 5-7 km wide.

When the Kosi river changed its course a month back, water entered into these villages and into their houses four feet above. Some people climbed the roof top of the middle school which is in the centre of the village, some went to the nearby railway track while others climbed trees, only about 5% of them were evacuated. The people said that they had decided to die in their own villages rather than dying outside.

The villagers remained isolated for five days when the villages were inundated with water until the Army came in motorised boats and provided them with cooked food initially and with dry ration packets later.

Mr. Chunnilal Hazda, who is an elder of one of the villages, said "All our paddy fields are submerged, we do not have any livelihood options to live here, we are helpless, and someone has to help us to restore our lives back". There are many more Bagania villages in this region hit by un-expected Kosi's fury and still inundated. .

EFICOR proposes to assist 15000 households in two districts viz., Saharsa and Madhepura. The Indian Army has offered to help carry the food items to the affected villages in motorized boats when the distribution commences. A detailed assessment is being carried out by EFICOR staff for this Phase.

For details on Bihar flood relief, please contact:

Mr Sanjeev Kumar Bhanja, Director -Programmes, EFICOR +91-9910398604 Mr Ramesh Babu, Manager - Programmes, EFICOR +91-9910398601 For donations: All donations sent to EFICOR are exempted under section 80(G) of the IT Act of 1961. Regd. No. DIT(E) 2007-2008/E-38/2092 (valid till 31.03.2010)

Cash can be deposited anywhere in India in our ICICI Bank account No. 008701018157 in case of direct transfer and mail your contact details so that we can acknowledge receipt of your contribution.

Cheque or drafts in favour of EFICOR, New Delhi can be addressed to : EFICOR 308 Mahatta Tower B Block Community Centre Janakpuri New Delhi 110058 Telefax 25515383/4/5 Email:hq@eficor.org Website :eficor.org

For further details please contact : Mrs Sheila George Manager - Publicity Mobile :09810986890