AID Responds to Cyclone Amphan
The cyclone Amphan struck the southern West Bengal coast on May 20, and has devastated areas of Sundarban and E. Midnapore district in West Bengal, and the coastal blocks of Odisha, at a time when Covid-19 and lockdown have already affected the lives of millions there.
AID started working intensively with farmers in the Sundarban region in 2009 after Cyclone Aila struck exactly 11 years ago, and have since worked with more than 25000 farmers. As an organization, we are dedicated to not only provide the most disadvantaged communities with immediate relief, but also support them in rebuilding and recovery of their livelihoods with dignity. Find out more details of our plans below, and updates from the ground here.
We are also producing an online newsletter to give you further details of what our partners are doing on the ground. You can check out our newsletter here:
Why AID? Check the video above to learn about our long-term association with partners in Sundarban. We are in it for the long-haul.
Find the latest updates in our YouTube channel:
Videos from the groundAID’s response and relief plans
The coastal districts of southern West Bengal i.e. East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas (combined population of 25 million) have been severely affected by Cyclone Amphan which struck on May 20 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. In particular, the Sundarban region, home to more than 5 million people, has suffered unprecedented damage to households and agricultural fields.
AID partners on the ground have been active ever since the cyclone alert came. Volunteers and field workers from three groups worked with local administration to evacuate vulnerable people and station them at the flood relief centers, which saved lakhs of lives. Our partners Mukti, Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha and Chetan Sangha (in the Mathurapur II, Kultali, Kakdwip and Pathar Pratima blocks of South 24 Parganas) have stocked up some dry foods in case of emergency and we are in constant touch. We are also working with our long-term partner Kajla Janakalyan Samity in East Midnapore.
AID’s previous work in Sundarbans
We had started working intensively in the region with the community in 2009, on reclaiming salinated land through sustainable organic practices and trying to revive agriculture. It took years for the farmers to get back on their feet. In the last 11 years we have worked with close to 25,000 farmers, many of who are supplying organic vegetables to Kolkata earning better than they used to.
Take this virtual tour through AID’s work on sustainable agriculture in Sundarban.
Find more about our work with the farmers of Sundarban after Aila here. Last year, we also supported local communities during the cyclone Bulbul. Details can be found here. Details of our Covid relief effort in Sundarbans can be found here.
AID Responds to COVID in India
Pictures from Amphan damage in Sundarbans
In Nagendrapur estimated 90% houses have been damaged.
Earlier on May 19 and 20, AID partners actively supported local administration in evacuation.
During the storm some brave souls tried renovating the breached embankments.
In Maipith and elsewhere, brackish water has breached the embankments and flooded all agricultural lands and roads.Support people affected by the cyclone and Covid-19
Picture: Villagers in Nagendrapur, were evacuated and stationed in flood relief centers with the help of volunteers of Mukti, our partner in Sundarban.