JULLAY- Word of thanks from flood survivors in Leh

Help us to help the people of Leh. Photo Courtesy: Sam/ Oxfam India

From the diary of an Oxfam employee in Leh

It saddens me that a beautiful place like Leh has crumbled to mud in a span of hours.  It angers me that loving, gentle, caring and hospitable people of Leh are down writhing in pain.  Each of you should visit Leh at least once in your life time to feel the love of people.  JULLAY is the first word you hear from the people of Leh which means hello and also means thank you.  

I was excited when I heard that I will be sent to Leh to be part of Oxfam India’s response to the flash floods which claimed nearly 170 lives with many still missing. The word “excitement” may be not the suitable word in the context of loss and pain. But it’s an opportunity for me to be a small or may be insignificant part of helping people in dire need. The small and insignificant role I am playing in Oxfam India’s response to Leh floods is lending a shoulder to the people in dire need. In the course of time here in Leh I have realized my role has become significant and vital. I have become a messenger for the people of Leh, who need the helping shoulder of their brothers and sisters throughout the country at this crucial juncture.

It is not just me doing my bit for the people of Leh but there are about 12 people stationed here to reach out to the people. We are a team from different regions, cultural backgrounds, speak different languages and work in a war zone like situation. Everyone in the team is passionate, committed and full of energy and raring to reach to the people in need.  The passion sometimes comes out as anger and as agony to do the best for this gentle people.  Everyone in the team do not compromise and go beyond their job description. In fact, we, in the team do not believe in job description. The finest example is the fact that we all built bathing cubicles and toilets in the relief camps when we found that it was hard to find people to do it. We take pride to do this kind of work and will do it again and again.  Our leader doesn’t hesitate to pick the hammer or saw the wood even for a second. So does the accountant who often feel lifeless sitting in the field office and prefers to be in the relief camps and the villages affected. Sometimes we do feel that we are the unsung heroes but deep down we are proud that we have given back to the nation in need.

There are more than 2000 households in Leh to whom we are reaching out and the neighboring 13 villages need help to rebuild their lives from the scratch.  Oxfam India has always been responding to people in distress. We reached out to people of Kurnool when the floods struck them, to the people of the Sunderbans in west Bengal stuck by cyclone Aila. We at Oxfam India do recognize the fact that there is a little we can do with the limited resources we have. People have already been provided safe drinking water, water to wash and bath. The camps which houses more than 500 households have been provided with toilets, bathing cubicles and wash areas. A hygiene expert along with some volunteers is training the affected with best hygiene practices to curtail epidemics from spreading.

Through our assessment in the 13 villages we found that the agricultural land is badly damaged. The local farmers even lost their agricultural tools too which would have helped them to work as manual laborers. Many have lost their livelihoods and no other option but to look for help. The flash floods have completely washed out many foot bridges, trails and foot paths. The transportation has been badly damaged; commuting from one village to another is almost nil. 

Until now Oxfam India is able to provide them with the essentials like water and sanitation and we are also distributing buckets, mugs, blankets, ORS for purifying water, perforated sheets to protect them from the coming winters. People of Leh are in need of their livelihoods; need support to get them back on the track.

The Oxfam team in Leh is the mirror of the need and helplessness of the people of Leh. They need the support of the fellow citizens in the time of distress. Help us to help the people of Leh. Help us to bring a smile on the faces of people of Leh.