Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) recently sent an assessment delegation to India to explore the humanitarian conditions and urgent needs in the flood-affected parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in preparation for a potential relief intervention.

The mission travelled to India on September 24 to co-ordinate with NGOs, examine the situation on the ground and negotiate executive partnerships with the organisations working there in case an immediate relief response is required.

The group comprised three senior members of QRC’s risk reduction team, including two Qatari female volunteers - Reema al-Merekhi (head of mission) and Fatima al-Mohannadi - as well as Dr Hassan al-Beiroumi, an assistant trainer of public health in disasters and a health/environment writer, blogger and academic researcher.

On its arrival in New Delhi, the mission held several meetings with Islamic Relief - India, Indo-Global Social Service Society and Mother Helpage Worldwide. The delegation members then made a field trip to Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the worst-hit region, with 80% of its land submerged by 12-14ft high flood water, which wiped out whole villages. The mission toured all over the state, particularly medical facilities and the relief camp.

These efforts showed the magnitude of the disaster and its severe impact on the affected local communities. Official figures reveal 300 reported deaths, but informal estimates raise the number to as high as 1,000, to be added to 280 missing people. The floods also destroyed 67,934 homes, 12,553 roads and 30 bridges. Medical and educational facilities were damaged, and there are 10-11mn people affected by this natural disaster.

The humanitarian response priorities include six-month food assistance after agriculture was destroyed, domestic animals died and food stock ran out at most households; non-food items such as kitchenware, hygiene kits, mattresses, building and maintenance material for partly damaged homes, and dewatering pumps; shelter, particularly with the approach of snowfall, accumulating to form possibly 10m-high blocks, as well as winter needs such as heavy clothes, heaters and blankets; drinking water, as the water station was destroyed; rehabilitation of hospitals and supply of medication; and sanitation services such as dewatering and garbage collection to prevent infections and waterborne diseases.

A survey made by the mission found out that a sheltering home costs $5,000, small village clinics cost $2,000 each and mobile public toilets $300 each.

 

 

 

 

Related Story